Overview

This bill, the Great British Energy Bill, focuses on preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within the supply chains of companies designated as "Great British Energy." The House of Lords initially proposed an amendment to prevent financial assistance to companies with evidence of modern slavery, but the House of Commons disagreed. A compromise amendment was reached to instead incorporate measures against slavery and human trafficking within the company's operational framework.

Description

The core of the bill centers around amendments addressing modern slavery and human trafficking. Initially, the Lords proposed an amendment (Amendment 2) to explicitly prevent financial support for companies with evidence of modern slavery in their energy supply chains. The Commons rejected this due to its impact on existing financial arrangements. Consequently, the Lords withdrew their initial amendment (non-insisted) and offered a replacement (Amendment 2B). This revised amendment mandates that measures to combat slavery and human trafficking must be integrated into the operations and supply chains of designated "Great British Energy" companies. This change ensures compliance with anti-slavery standards without directly altering pre-existing financial arrangements.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly allocate new government spending. The Commons' rejection of the Lords' original amendment suggests a concern about altering pre-existing financial arrangements which could indicate the avoidance of potentially significant financial repercussions. The final amendment's impact on government spending is likely indirect and dependent on the implementation of anti-slavery measures by the companies involved. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Companies designated "Great British Energy": These companies will be directly affected, needing to implement measures to prevent and detect modern slavery and human trafficking within their operations and supply chains. This may involve increased scrutiny of their suppliers and operational processes.
• Suppliers to "Great British Energy" companies: These suppliers will also face increased scrutiny regarding their own practices concerning modern slavery and human trafficking.
• Workers in the energy supply chain: The bill aims to protect workers from exploitation, potentially leading to improved working conditions and better protections against human trafficking.
• Government agencies responsible for overseeing compliance: These agencies will have a role in ensuring that "Great British Energy" companies comply with the requirements of the amended bill.

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