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UK Government Faces Backlash Over Allegations of Blind Eye to Modern Slavery in Solar Supply Chains
Ministers are under fire for potentially removing legal protections against the use of solar panels sourced from forced labor in China, as accusations of complicity in modern slavery gain momentum within Parliament.
Lead: In a controversial move, UK ministers have been accused of ignoring modern slavery concerns by instructing Labour MPs to abolish legal safeguards that would prevent state-owned Great British Energy from purchasing solar panels linked to forced labor in China. The dispute surfaced at the House of Lords on Monday, where a recent amendment aimed to ensure no procurement from suppliers with “credible evidence of modern slavery” would be tolerated. This action has sparked a heated debate just ahead of a significant vote on the matter set for Tuesday.
Key Developments in the Controversy
– Ministers are attempting to strip legal protections from a key energy bill.
– The amendment was introduced by cross-bench peer David Alton in the House of Lords.
– Labour MPs may face pressure to side with the government during Tuesday’s vote.
Government’s Stance on Forced Labor
– Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook assured that government-ordered solar panels originate from ethical sources and are not manufactured by Uyghur people in China.
– In a radio interview, he emphasized that the government is actively working on a strategy to address forced labor across the energy sector.
– Pennycook reiterated, “We’re taking action across the whole of government to tackle the issue of forced labor in supply chains.”
Criticism from Political Rivals
– Critique from both Labour and Conservative MPs highlights the moral implications of removing legal protections.
– Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the government’s actions, suggesting it would force Labour MPs to disregard their anti-slavery stance.
– He stated, “It’s the first test for the Labour government: which side of this do you stand? You used to stand on the side of anti-slavery.”
Government’s Response to Concerns
– A spokesperson for No 10 reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating modern slavery, claiming that a comprehensive approach would be more effective than isolated bans.
– The ethos is to integrate efforts across the entire energy sector to address human rights abuses holistically.
Conclusion: As the UK edges closer to a crucial parliamentary vote, the outcome may have profound implications on the nation’s commitment to combating modern slavery within supply chains. Critics question the government’s priorities amid reports of exploitation in the solar panel industry, leaving many to wonder if ethical standards will sacrifice economic considerations.
Keywords: UK government, modern slavery, solar panels, Great British Energy, Labour MPs, Uyghur forced labor, energy bill, human rights abuses, supply chains
Hashtags: #ModernSlavery #HumanRights #EnergyPolicy #SolarPanels #EthicalSourcing #UKPolitics
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