Britain risks becoming dumping ground for ‘slave labour’ solar panels

“In 2020, China produced 75pc of the global supply of solar-grade polysilicon, with manufacturers in the Uyghur Region accounting for over 45pc of the total global production…There is overwhelming evidence that major producers and manufacturers, have actively recruited and employed ‘transferred surplus [slave] labour’ from rural villages.”

Such reports have already prompted the US to block many Chinese solar panel imports. Last month, the EU agreed to implement its own rules, the Forced Labour Ban Regulation, which now awaits final approval from the EU parliament. 

Last month, foreign office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan agreed the use of Uyghur slave labour to make solar panels for Britain was “unacceptable” but confirmed the UK had yet to take action.

Solar Energy UK, the trade body, said it would shortly publish a Solar Stewardship Initiative setting out plans to create supply chains within China but free of slavery.

Chris Hewett, the body’s chief executive, said: “The UK solar industry condemns and opposes any abuse of human rights in the global supply chain.” However, he was unable to say how it planned to audit and monitor suppliers in China.

Ms Kearns said government plans to create parallel supply chains, one with slaves and one without, were a moral failure.

She said: “The idea we can operate dual supply chains in China, one with slaves and the other not, is preposterous.”