Modern slavery in the construction sector - CCLA Roundtable

The construction sector presents some of the highest risks of modern slavery in the UK. The government has set itself a high bar on construction targets, both housebuilding and infrastructure, but it is also rolling out new tougher regulation on labour rights and supply chain due diligence.

Against this backdrop, on 21 October 2025, CCLA held a roundtable with Minister Jess Phillips MP, investors, senior construction sector representatives, law enforcement, survivor advocates and civil society organisations. What emerged was a picture of a sector working to build maturity while the government is tightening regulation and focusing on enforcement. 

The event, moderated by Dame Sara Thornton, CCLA’s Director of Modern Slavery and former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, built on the foundations of the 2024 summit.

Key points

• Government scrutiny of construction is accelerating, with new measures like updated TISC guidance, the Employment Rights Bill, and the 2025 Procurement Act pushing the sector from voluntary transparency towards enforceable accountability.

• Deep structural vulnerabilities continue to make construction high-risk, including subcontracting chains, reliance on migrant labour, and working conditions that limit visibility and reporting.

• Material supply chains still lack meaningful visibility, as companies struggle to trace risk through global sourcing of high-risk materials such as stone, timber, pigments, and minerals.

• Survivor leadership emerged as a critical success factor, with testimony highlighting that ethical hiring, accessible grievance mechanisms, and survivor involvement in due-diligence design are essential.

• Addressing modern slavery requires collaborative action. Cross-sector collaboration, including intelligence-sharing networks and industry forums is essential to eliminate systemic exploitation and ensure fair, ethical practices in both labour and material supply chains.