Rutland MP 'not finished' highlighting concerns over slave labour

Alicia Kearns had put forward proposed changes to the Energy Bill

Author: Henry WinterPublished 13th Sep 2023

Rutland MP, Alicia Kearns, says she is ‘…not finished fighting yet’, despite her proposed amendments failing to be included in the Energy Bill last week.

Mrs Kearns had put forward proposed changes to the Energy Bill following concerns about Uyghur slave labour being used in the production of some solar panels.

Both amendments were rejected in parliament, and no further amendments to the Energy Bill are now possible before it is passed.

However, Mrs Kearns is not done yet it seems. In a statement after the proposals were rejected, she said: “While my amendment to tackle slave labour within significant energy wasn’t successful, I am not finished fighting yet.”

She added that her amendment had brought the government’s attention to “the horrifying extent of Uyghur forced labour” in some supply chains and the urgent action needed.

“I am hopeful that the government will finally bring forward the sanctions we need against companies seeking to operate in the United Kingdom who are complicit in using Uyghur slave labour in their supply chains across all industries,” she added.

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