For in-house tendering or contracting our standard terms and conditions and supplier on-boarding
processes ensure the potential for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking are duly considered.
We raise awareness to all our staff by continually promoting information about Modern Slavery
and Human Trafficking with support from the UK Modern Slavery Helpline and Resource Centre
and have been doing so for over 12 months now.
We will identify those supply chains that represent a medium to high risk of modern slavery,
human trafficking, forced and bonded labour, and labour rights violations. This will be achieved
by working with both suppliers and members of both regional and sector purchasing consortia,
taking appropriate action if we become aware of such activity.
It is University policy that all new staff joining the University provide documentation to demonstrate
their Right to Work within the UK before commencing employment. For those in higher risk areas,
such as cleaning, this is asked for at interview stage.
In November 2018, the University signed up to and began deploying NETpositive Futures as a
mechanism to further engagement of both contracted and non-contracted suppliers on the subject
of Modern Slavery. Although in early stages, we are now also engaging Academic staff and
Students to explore how we can bring NETpositive Futures into the curriculum with a joint focus
on Modern Slavery and Sustainability.
In December 2018, the University’s Head of Procurement along with nine other Higher Education
Institutes actively engaged with a PhD research project, which was looking at university modern
slavery reporting. The conclusions shared from this project will be used to inform future Annual
Statements.
What are we going to do in the future
University of Plymouth expresses its commitment to the continuous review of the supply chains it
uses, working towards greater transparency and awareness of the people working within them.
This is a challenge that is best addressed through the ongoing and proactive engagement with
both suppliers and the Higher Education Procurement Consortia sharing experiences and refining
best practice.
We will review the conclusions from the aforementioned research project with a view to applying
the feedback where it will enhance the existing approach being taken by the University.
Since the last statement, the University’s Procurement function has aligned its structure against
defined categories of spend. The associated Category Plans are designed to support the
management of these categories of expenditure and will include an assessment of risk around
the presence and/or likelihood of modern slavery occurring in the respective supply chains. These
assessments will draw upon available knowledge and tools, including, but not limited to outputs
from NETpositive Futures and sector collaboration.
Alastair Matthews
Chief Financial Officer