Introduction
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the U.K. Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the slavery and human trafficking statement for the UK Plumbing Ltd. This Act requires us to publish a statement each year describing the steps taken to ensure modern forms of slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in the company’s business operations and supply chains. This statement covers the activities of our Company, which procure goods and services from and form part of supply chain.
UK Plumbing Ltd is committed to operating responsibly and establishing high ethical standards across all businesses. We will not tolerate any breaches of human rights in our business.
Our Business
UK Plumbing Ltd distributes building materials to small through to large contractors in the wider construction sector as well as local tradespeople and the public. UK Plumbing Ltd has five main trading entities trading from over 28 locations. Many of our purchases are routed through NBG, which is a major buying group for independent builder’s merchants with 84 members, 300 depots across the UK and a turnover of £750m.
Our Principles and Policies
The way that we conduct business reflects our commitment to the highest ethical standards. Our employment code of practice sets out our commitment to workers’ rights, abolition of child labour, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, respect of freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. Our code of business conduct supports a wide range of topics related to the protection of human rights, including harassment and discrimination, workplace violence, protecting employee privacy, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery.
UK Plumbing Ltd has other formal policies intended to promote ethical and legally compliant business conduct. Policies contributing to our commitment to preventing violations of human rights such as modern forms of slavery in our business include:
Each year UK Plumbing Ltd staff are required to complete training on all the above policies and other policies relevant to their jobs. All staff, as well as anyone acting on behalf of the company, must comply with the above. Any breaches will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for gross misconduct.
UK Plumbing Ltd continues to monitor relevant legal developments relating to human rights and modern slavery to maintain its commitment to operating responsibly and maintaining our high ethical standards.
Our Supply Chains
UK Plumbing Ltd is committed to ensuring modern forms of slavery and human trafficking are not present in our supply chains and in any of our businesses. We expect businesses, companies, and other entities that provide or seek to provide, any kind of good or service, including our suppliers, vendors and contractors (“suppliers”) to respect human rights and promote similar principles in their own supply chains.
Where non-compliance is identified, UK Plumbing Ltd will engage with the relevant supplier and promptly take appropriate action, which may include not appointing or re-appointing the supplier.
We are aware that some of the products we purchase for resale originate from areas of the world where human rights are not respected. We ensure that all suppliers that source from such regions have the highest standards, policies and are internally audited ensuring slavery is not used and local people are treated ethically. NBG also act on our and all partners' behalf, to ensure the highest standards are set and maintained.
Reporting
UK Plumbing Ltd is committed to transparency in its approach to respecting human rights.
We will continue to review any areas of concern highlighted through our Supplier Commitments Programme and work alongside suppliers, customers and interested organisations to eliminate risk from our businesses and supply chain.
