Gardening Aldgate - Modern Slavery Statement

Gardening Aldgate publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to declare our commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in any part of our operations or supply chain. This statement sets out our zero-tolerance approach and the measures we take to identify, assess and mitigate the risk of slavery and forced labour. We are committed to transparency and continuous improvement in our anti-slavery work across every service we provide.

We recognise that other phrases such as modern slavery policy, slavery and human trafficking statement and Gardening Aldgate's anti-slavery statement all refer to the same core obligation: to ensure workers are treated fairly. Our senior leadership team endorses this position and is accountable for its delivery. We require all staff to understand their role in preventing exploitation and to apply our policies consistently.

As part of our zero-tolerance policy against forced labour, Gardening Aldgate has implemented clear standards of conduct and expectations. We will not tolerate any form of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, or human trafficking. These standards apply to all employees, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers. Any breach of these standards will result in proportionate remedial action, which may include termination of contracts and legal referral where appropriate.

We conduct regular supplier due diligence and audits to ensure compliance with our anti-slavery commitments. Our supplier audits include risk-based questionnaires, on-site reviews where necessary, and documentary checks on labour practices, recruitment fees, working hours and pay. We require suppliers to demonstrate that they comply with all applicable employment laws and to provide evidence of fair recruitment and working conditions.

Gardening Aldgate operates a risk-based audit programme that prioritises higher-risk suppliers and sectors. Audit findings are reviewed by a dedicated compliance team and escalated to senior management. When issues are identified, we work collaboratively with suppliers to create corrective action plans, set realistic deadlines, and verify completion. Persistent or serious non-compliance will trigger contract termination and replacement with compliant providers.

We maintain contractual protections that require our vendors to adhere to our anti-slavery standards. Contracts contain specific clauses that permit us to terminate agreements where modern slavery risks are discovered and not adequately addressed. Our procurement team receives training on integrating human rights considerations into tendering and supplier management.

To support reporting and remediation, Gardening Aldgate provides multiple reporting channels for concerns about potential exploitation. We encourage staff, contractors and third parties to report any suspicions using internal whistleblowing channels, anonymous reporting mechanisms, or via their line manager. Reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly and confidentially, with protections against retaliation.

Our reporting process emphasises timely investigation, victim support and appropriate corrective measures. Reports are assessed by a trained investigation team and, where necessary, escalated to legal advisors or law enforcement. We aim to support affected individuals, ensure their safety, and recover any unpaid wages. Our approach balances robust enforcement with care and protection for vulnerable workers.

Accountability and continuous improvement are central to this anti-slavery statement. We will carry out an annual review of the effectiveness of our policies, controls and supplier audit programme. The review will assess incident trends, audit outcomes, training completion rates and any regulatory developments. Findings from the annual review will inform updates to our policy, training materials, and supplier engagement strategy.