Slavery and human trafficking statement 2023 to 2024

8. Conclusion

Over the past year, we have strengthened our position as a leader in ethical employment and procurement. The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to the detection and prevention of human trafficking and exploitation across its operations, procurement activity and supply chains. This statement demonstrates how we are giving practical effect to the principles of fairness, transparency and human rights that underpin Scotland’s approach to ethical public service delivery.

Procurement reforms have enhanced our capacity to address human rights risks, particularly in high-risk sectors such as ICT and construction. The Scottish Procurement Policy Handbook and associated guidance support the inclusion of fair work and anti-exploitation criteria in tenders, with provision for contract termination where breaches of social, environmental or employment law are identified. While formal contract audits and enforcement actions have not been publicly reported to date, our frameworks and risk assessment tools provide the structure needed to enable these steps where appropriate.

Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen our response through expanding the reach of risk assessment tools, building capability within the procurement and contract management workforce, and enhancing transparency in supplier practices.

Tackling exploitation requires sustained action, collaboration and leadership. We are committed to continuous improvement and to working in partnership with suppliers, public bodies and civil society to build a procurement system that actively promotes human dignity, rights and fairness. Through these efforts, we will continue to play a leading role in creating a fair and just Scotland.