Guidance issued for Whitehall departments and other bodies on managing modern slavery risks in procurement

The Cabinet Office said the PPN and the guidance would apply to all central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Other public sector contracting authorities may also wish to apply the approach, it added.

The guidance, Tackling modern slavery in government supply chains, covers:

• Introduction: Who should use this guide? What is modern slavery? The UK context; Why does it matter for UK public procurement? What actions do I need to take?
• Identifying and managing risks in new procurements: planning checklist; early market engagement; pre-procurement dialogue; selection stage; award stage; contract management.
• Understanding the risk: identifying high and medium risk contracts; mapping the supply chain; applying strengthened contract management to manage risks.
• Taking action when victims of modern slavery are Identified.
• Training.
• Acknowledgements.
• Annexes: Annex A - Examples of Model Questions for Suppliers in respect of the workers and supply chain that will deliver the contract; Annex B - Supplier Audits: Points to Consider; Annex C - Modern Slavery Example Contract Clause; Annex D - Remedial Action Plan Blueprint: An Example Template; Annex E - Case Studies.

The Cabinet Office said in-scope organisations should begin to take action to apply the PPN to existing contracts and to new procurement activity from 1 October 2019.

Such organisations must use the guidance, and “ensure relevant procurement, commercial and front-line staff receive awareness training on how to identify modern slavery and steps to tackle it effectively, including reporting it through appropriate channels”.