As new laws emerge around Europe, it’s time for the UK to hold business liable for human rights abuses in supply chains around the world.

The Corporate Justice Coalition says the UK cannot be viewed as a leader on human rights based upon the current Modern Slavery Act.

The fashion group’s share price plunged amid concerns over working conditions in its UK supply chain, raising questions about transparency and due diligence.

Boards must pay heed to labour abuses in their supply chains by ensuring strong risk management and building stable relationships—or face the many damaging consequences.

The European Union should introduce compulsory human rights due diligence for companies to check their supply chains, argues campaign group the European Coalition for Corporate Justice.

The UK government has updated its guidelines on how businesses should comply with the Modern Slavery Act, part of which requires organisations to develop an annual slavery and human trafficking statement.

Companies in the UK now have to produce a report detailing their efforts to beat modern slavery in their supply chains. Some have clearly thought this through. But the poor reporting of others is “worrying”.

Seven hundred companies have submitted Modern Slavery Act statements, but few have met all the core elements of the law. Resources, a lack of knowledge and a need for more guidance have all contributed to a slow start.

Analysis of modern slavery statements from FTSE 100 companies reveals none have achieved the highest standards of disclosure.

The deadline has passed for modern slavery statements to be submitted but companies are failing to properly comply.