A) ORGANISATION  

 

This statement applies to McVeigh Parker (referred to in this statement as ‘the Organisation’).

 

B) ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

8 Depots across the UK.: Devon, Worcs., Sussex, Kent, Cambs., Lancs., Lanarkshire,

Head Office at Southend, Bradfield, Berkshire RG7 6HA.

The organisation is controlled by a Board of Directors: Brian Parker, Mike McVeigh, Chris Hambridge, Stuart Mills, Paul Parker, Clare Stanley.

 

The Organisation’s main activity is the sale of Farming and Fencing supplies both in-depot and online, demand for our range of products remains high throughout the year.

The labour supplied to the Organisation in pursuance of its operation is carried out in the United Kingdom, nationwide.

 

C) DEFINITIONS

 

The Organisation considers that modern slavery encompasses:

• Human trafficking;

• Forced work, through mental or physical threat;

• Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse;

• Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property;

• Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.

 

D) COMMITMENT

 

The Organisation acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Organisation understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its labour force and, additionally, its supply chains.

The Organisation does not enter into business with any other organisation, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

No labour provided to the Organisation in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Organisation strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in the United Kingdom.

 

E) SUPPLY CHAINS

 

In order to fulfil its activities, the Organisation’s main supply chains include those related to the supply of farming and fencing supplies in both the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. We understand that the McVeigh Parker are first-tier suppliers to some customers and second tier to larger organisations. As intermediary trader we are therefore mindful of further contractual relationships with higher-tier suppliers.

 

F) POTENTIAL EXPOSURE

 

The Organisation considers its main exposure to the risk of slavery and human trafficking to exist in its fencing supply chains because they involve the provision of labour in a country where protection against breaches of human rights may be limited, mainly in Asia.

In general, the Organisation considers its exposure to slavery/human trafficking to be relatively limited, it has taken steps to ensure that such practices do not take place in its business nor the business of any organisation that supplies goods and/or services to it.

 

G) IMPACT OF COVID-19

 

During the reporting period covered by this statement, the COVID-19 pandemic had taken hold. For several months, the UK was placed into lockdown to stem the spread of COVID-19. This created several challenges for the Organisation as it did for others across the nation.

The Organisation welcomes the UK Government’s decision, as confirmed in April 2020, to allow for a delay of up to 6 months in the publication of modern slavery statements without the risk of facing penalty.

Despite the permitted, delay, the Organisation remains in a position to publish its statement for the financial year 2019/2020 in line with the original publishing requirements.

The Organisation concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic did not adjust the risk of modern slavery to a level above that which existed before the pandemic, which is as set out under ‘POTENTIAL EXPOSURE’ above.

During the pandemic, the Group’s employees still had access to the grievance procedure to raise any concerns that they may have had.

In line with emergency legislation passed by the Government, Group employees have been paid Statutory Sick Pay during periods of self-isolation where it has not been possible to agree a temporary period of homeworking.

The Organisation’s modern slavery risks were subject to the same monitoring procedures during the pandemic as at all other times.

 

H) STEPS

 

The Organisation carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers.

The Organisation has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.

In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Organisation has taken the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place:

• Review annually our suppliers contracts, which include termination powers in the event that the supplier is, or is suspected, to be involved in modern slavery;

• Site visits where possible, if not the CEO’s confirmation and assessment of the potential risks in the supply chain.

• undertaking impact assessments of its services upon potential evidence of slavery;

• creating action plans to address risk to modern slavery, immediate termination of contracts.

• Contracts are awarded on confirmation of a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery;

 

I) KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

 

The Organisation has set the following key performance indicators to measure its effectiveness in ensuring modern slavery is not taking place in the Organisation or its supply chains.

• Site surveys where possible are carried out, if access is restricted then written confirmation form the Director/Owner or CEO is sort.

 

J) POLICIES

 

The Organisation has the following policies which further define its stance on modern slavery, this is based on the UK Governments stance on slavery, more details can be found on below link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-modern-slavery-statement

 

K) TRAINING

 

The Organisation provides the following training to staff to effectively implement its stance on modern slavery. Managers and new recruits are advised of the companies stance on modern slavery and refer them to the UK government guidelines of which we endorse and adhere to.

 

L) SLAVERY COMPLIANCE OFFICER

 

The Organisation has a Slavery Compliance Officer, to whom all concerns regarding modern slavery should be addressed, and who will then undertake relevant action with regard to the Organisation obligations in this regard.

This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.

 

Chris Hambridge -  CEO                                                         Date: January 2025