Our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

About the Small Business Commissioner

The Small Business Commissioner is an independent public body launched in December 2017 under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late and unfair payment practices in the private sector. The Small Business Commissioner covers the whole of the UK- England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Our commitment to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015

The Small Business Commissioner is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking. As an equal-opportunities employer, the Small Business Commissioner is committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for its staff.

The Small Business Commissioner recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion once in our employment.

Our supply chain

The Small Business Commissioner’s procurement for goods and services is provided by our shared services provider, UK SBS. UK SBS contracts directly with approximately 230 suppliers, but our supply chain is limited and we procure goods and services from a restricted range of UK and overseas suppliers. Only two of the companies that we have procured through Crown Commercial Service Frameworks are of a size to be subject to Section 54, and both have complied. UK SBS have also published their statement on Slavery & Human Trafficking which includes their mechanisms for guarding against modern slavery in their client’s supply chains.

Their statement is published on their website:

UK SBS Modern Slavery Statement 

Actions taken in 2019-20

The Small Business Commissioner has undertaken the following actions:

• Made all staff aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informed them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking.
• Ensured the Small Business Commissioner and UK SBS procurement strategies and contract terms and conditions include references to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking.

Key Performance Indicators:

• The Small Business Commissioner received zero reports from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.

Actions to be taken in 2024-25

During 2024-25, Small Business Commissioner will undertake the following activities:

• We will continue to work to raise awareness of modern slavery within the Small Business Commissioner by reviewing and evaluating the measures and processes that we have implemented so far to ensure their effectiveness.
• We will work with our suppliers and review our processes with our delivery partners to identify any additional measures we can take as a business to combat modern slavery and human trafficking.
• Continue to develop a staff awareness strategy for the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and reporting mechanisms if a case of slavery or human trafficking is suspected.
• Make information available to businesses to inform them of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking.

This statement has been approved by the Small Business Commissioner as accounting officer.

Liz Barclay, Small Business Commissioner