Modern Slavery Statement for Barnes Removals
Barnes Removals is committed to conducting business with integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights. This modern slavery statement sets out the steps we take to prevent slavery, forced labour, servitude, and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. We recognise that the removals industry relies on people, vehicles, facilities, and third-party services, and we accept our responsibility to ensure these relationships reflect our zero-tolerance policy toward exploitation. Our approach is designed to support ethical practice across every level of the business, from recruitment to procurement.
Our Commitment and Ethical Standards
Barnes Removals maintains a clear zero-tolerance position on modern slavery and all forms of labour abuse. We expect everyone who works with or for us to comply with applicable laws and to uphold the highest standards of conduct. This includes employees, agency workers, subcontractors, and suppliers. We seek to ensure that all work is voluntary, fairly paid, and carried out in safe conditions. Where concerns arise, we act promptly and decisively. Our modern slavery policy is embedded in our broader commitment to ethical sourcing, responsible employment, and continuous improvement.
We assess risk throughout our business activities, particularly in areas where labour may be supplied by third parties or where services are outsourced. Our recruitment processes include checks designed to prevent unlawful working practices, and we do not tolerate the withholding of identity documents, excessive working hours, coercion, or intimidation. We also provide internal guidance so that managers can recognise warning signs and understand their duty to escalate concerns. By reinforcing awareness, Barnes Removals strengthens its ability to identify and address potential risks early.
Supplier Due Diligence and Audits
Supplier relationships are a critical part of our modern slavery prevention strategy. We expect all suppliers to share our values and to demonstrate compliance with labour and human rights standards. Before engaging new suppliers, we conduct appropriate due diligence based on the nature of the service and the associated risk level. Supplier audits are carried out periodically for higher-risk categories, and we may request evidence relating to worker pay, contracts, right-to-work checks, subcontracting arrangements, and workplace conditions. If a supplier fails to meet our requirements, we reserve the right to suspend or end the relationship.
Our reporting channels are designed to make it safe and straightforward for concerns to be raised. Employees and contractors are encouraged to report suspected abuse, unethical behaviour, or policy breaches through internal management channels or designated safeguarding routes. All reports are treated seriously, investigated confidentially, and handled without retaliation. Where necessary, we will cooperate with external authorities and take remedial action to protect affected individuals. Barnes Removals believes that effective reporting is essential to maintaining trust and reinforcing accountability throughout the organisation.
Training plays an important role in sustaining our response. Relevant staff receive awareness on recognising indicators of forced labour, exploitative recruitment, document retention, debt bondage, and other forms of exploitation. This helps ensure that modern slavery risks are understood not only at leadership level but also among those involved in hiring, supplier management, and day-to-day operations. We also review our policies and controls when our business model changes, when new risks emerge, or when a material issue is identified. These measures help us remain proactive rather than reactive.
Barnes Removals will continue to monitor the effectiveness of its controls through internal checks, supplier reviews, and management oversight. We are committed to improving our approach year by year, ensuring that our standards remain robust and aligned with evolving best practice. Each annual cycle, we evaluate incidents, audit outcomes, training completion, and any actions taken to address risk. This ongoing assessment helps us measure progress and identify opportunities to strengthen our safeguards across the business and supply chain.
This statement reflects our present understanding of the actions Barnes Removals takes to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking. It is part of our wider commitment to responsible business conduct, fair treatment, and ethical partnerships. We will continue to uphold our modern slavery commitment, maintain our zero-tolerance stance, and review our controls annually to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to the risks we face.