Modern slavery statement
Our statement for the financial year ended 31 July 2025, made under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Our organisation and supply chains
The University employs 2,947 people and spent £141.8 million with 3,214 suppliers in 2024–25. About 71% of that spending went through framework agreements let by the regional purchasing consortium of which the University is a member, which assess suppliers’ approach to modern slavery when frameworks are tendered.
Where the risks are
We judge the highest risks to be in IT and audio-visual equipment, construction (including the new Library store on the Riverside site), cleaning and security services, catering supplies, branded clothing for students and staff, and laboratory consumables. Most of these risks lie in the supply chains of our suppliers rather than with them directly.
What we did in 2024–25
- Required all new contracts above £25,000 to include the University’s modern slavery clauses, and audited 40 existing contracts.
- Required the main contractor for the Riverside store to show how it checks the right to work and working conditions of its subcontractors’ workers.
- Confirmed that every worker employed on our contracts for cleaning, catering and security is paid at least the real living wage.
- Trained 112 staff who buy goods and services.
- Joined an electronics industry monitoring organisation through our purchasing consortium.
How we measure progress
| Measure | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| New contracts above £25,000 with modern slavery clauses | 86% | 100% |
| Staff who buy goods and services trained | 64 | 112 |
| Supplier audits for working conditions | 9 | 14 |
| Concerns reported through the whistleblowing procedure | 1 | 0 |
Approval
This statement was approved by Council on 26 November 2025 and is signed by the Rector, Professor Alison Treadwell. It is reviewed every year.
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