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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 August 2025. It was answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Labour) on Thursday, 31 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Solar Power: China

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that Chinese-made solar panels purchased by Great British Energy for use in UK schools and hospitals have not been manufactured by slave labour; whether these purchases conform with section 3(2)(e) of Great British Energy Act 2025; and who is responsible for assessing this.

Answer

There are strict procurement controls in place for schools and hospitals to ensure as far as possible any solar panels are free from forced labour.

This includes the Procurement Act which will enable contracting authorities to reject bids and terminate contracts with suppliers which have previously committed an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or where there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the supplier has engaged in this conduct.

We take this issue extremely seriously and will also be placing reporting commitments around the procurement process on panels as part of the funding agreements.

Through Great British Energy we will help build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9728
Session
2024-26
Subjects
China Hospitals Forced labour Procurement Schools Solar power Great British Energy
Legislation
Great British Energy Act 2025
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk