Overview

• The House of Commons voted 314 to 198 on March 25 to remove a Lords amendment prohibiting public funds for materials with credible evidence of modern slavery in their supply chains.
• Labour MPs, under a government whip, largely abstained or voted to reject the amendment, sparking criticism from peers and opposition MPs over ethical compromises in the green energy transition.
• The UK government announced plans to strengthen efforts against forced labour, including appointing a senior figure in Great British Energy to oversee ethical supply chains.
• Critics argue that existing laws, such as the Procurement Act, are insufficient to address forced labour concerns, particularly in supply chains tied to China's Xinjiang region.
• The government reaffirmed its £200 million investment in solar panels for schools and hospitals, stating that materials for public projects would not involve forced labour.