Source: https://tendernation.io/glossary/modern-slavery-statement Glossary # Modern slavery statement An annual statement, required of larger businesses under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, on steps taken to prevent slavery and trafficking in their supply chains. Updated 14 Oct 2026 A modern slavery statement is an annual public statement in which a business explains what it has done to make sure slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in its own operations or its supply chains. ## What it means [Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/section/54) requires commercial organisations that supply goods or services, carry on business in the UK and have a total turnover of at least a set amount to publish a statement each financial year. [The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Transparency in Supply Chains) Regulations 2015](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/1833/regulation/2/made) set that amount at £36 million. In public procurement, [PPN 009: Tackling modern slavery in government supply chains](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppn-009-tackling-modern-slavery-in-government-supply-chains) sets out how central government buyers should identify and manage modern slavery risks. Its guidance says buyers may assess a supplier's compliance with section 54 where it is relevant to the contract, proportionate and non-discriminatory. Slavery and human trafficking offences under the 2015 Act are also mandatory [exclusion grounds](/glossary/exclusion-grounds-debarment-list) in [Schedule 6 to the Procurement Act 2023](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/schedule/6). ## Why it matters for SMEs Most SMEs are well under £36 million turnover, so the legal duty to publish a statement does not apply to them. But buyers still ask modern slavery questions, particularly in sectors the PPN 009 guidance treats as higher risk, such as construction, cleaning and catering, textiles, electronics, logistics and care. Larger customers in your supply chain will also want assurance that you are managing the risk, because it affects their own statements. ## Practical tip If you are below the threshold, you can still publish a short voluntary statement covering your recruitment checks, how you vet your own suppliers and how staff can raise concerns. It gives you a ready answer for tender questions and shows the kind of maturity evaluators look for. Link it to your wider [social value](/glossary/social-value) and ethical sourcing commitments. Find tenders that fit your business Search UK, EU and World Bank tenders in one place, get AI summaries and a fit score for each one, and track bids in a pipeline. Professional comes with a 14-day free trial, no card needed. [Browse live tenders](/opportunities)[Start free trial ](/register) 14-day free trial, no card required Browse by sector - [Construction work](https://tendernation.io/sectors/construction-work)332 - [Architecture, engineering & surveying](https://tendernation.io/sectors/architecture-engineering-surveying)123 - [IT services](https://tendernation.io/sectors/it-services)48 - [Business services](https://tendernation.io/sectors/business-services)165 - [Health and social work](https://tendernation.io/sectors/health-social-work)262 - [Sewage, refuse, cleaning & environmental](https://tendernation.io/sectors/sewage-refuse-cleaning-environmental)73 [All sectors ](/sectors) ## Nearby terms [LotsSeparate parts of a procurement, divided by type of work or geography, that suppliers can bid for individually.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/lots)[MEAT (most economically advantageous tender)The legacy test for choosing a winning bid under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, replaced by the most advantageous tender under the 2023 Act.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/meat)[Mini-competitionA short competition run among the suppliers on a framework to award a specific call-off contract.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/mini-competition)[Most advantageous tender (MAT)The bid that meets the buyer's requirements and scores best against the published award criteria, which a buyer may award the contract to.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/most-advantageous-tender)[Open procedureA single-stage competitive tender, open to any supplier, where everyone submits a full bid by the same deadline.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/open-procedure)[Payments compliance noticeA notice public buyers publish twice a year showing how well they have met the 30-day payment rule on their public contracts.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/payments-compliance-notice) [Read our procurement guides ](/guides)