These days, one might have hoped that slavery in the UK is confined to the history books. Unfortunately, it remains very much a live issue across many UK industries and none more so than in the construction sector, where reports of suspected modern slavery cases were higher than in any other sector during the first national lockdown.

Investors are starting to take notice. Led by CCLA Investment Management, a group of investors (total £7tn in assets) have recently initiated a Find It, Fix It, Prevent It initiative designed to eliminate modern slavery in supply chains to the construction sector. Engagement with targeted construction companies is planned for the third quarter of 2021.

The government has also made it clear that even in the midst of a pandemic (or perhaps because of it), it is taking the issue of modern slavery seriously.

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