Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2024-2025

2. Executive Summary

This Statement sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to identifying, managing and reducing the risk of human trafficking and exploitation within our operations and supply chains. It outlines the actions we have taken to promote ethical practices, strengthen oversight, and support the protection of human rights. Prepared in line with Home Office guidance on section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act, the Statement reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, responsible procurement, and continuous improvement in tackling modern slavery and exploitation.

Organisational structure, its business and its supply chains

This Statement outlines the scope of our operations and supply chains. We describe our method for mapping supply chains, identifying risk areas, and ensuring transparency. Our policies are guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, embedding ethical procurement, fair work, and human rights due diligence throughout our processes.

Organisational policies and Risk Management

We integrate Fair Work First criteria in public sector grants, ensuring our grant recipients pay at least the real Living Wage, and provide appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice. These criteria, including payment of at least the real Living Wage, are also routinely included in relevant Scottish Government contracts. Our processes for assessing and managing risk include the use of the National Sustainability Test and best practice procurement guidance, allowing us to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks.

Due diligence in relation to modern slavery

The Scottish Government is committed to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The principles make clear that businesses have a responsibility to ensure their activities do not have adverse impacts on human rights.

Due diligence is at the core of our approach, with clear expectations for suppliers to comply with human rights standards and maintain procedures for addressing any instances of trafficking or exploitation. Our procurement processes align with procurement policy and legislation and are underpinned by clauses to ensure fair work, ethical sourcing and anti-trafficking standards.

Training

Training is a critical component of our approach to ethical procurement and supply chain transparency. Training on Human Trafficking and Exploitation is provided to staff, suppliers, and partners, in order to assist them to identify and respond to potential trafficking and exploitation, utilising specialised training for procurement professionals and frontline staff. We also maintain a commitment to continuous improvement, regularly reviewing and updating our policies and practices to align with best practice, stakeholder feedback, and reflecting the evolving understanding of trafficking and exploitation.