Modern Slavery Statement — Skip Hire Merton Commitment

Skip Hire Merton sets out this Modern Slavery Statement to confirm our firm commitment to preventing forced labour, human trafficking and any form of modern slavery across our operations and supply chains. As a responsible skip hire in Merton and local waste management provider, we operate a zero-tolerance policy to practices that exploit people. This statement applies to Skip Hire Merton, our subsidiaries and our contractors engaged to deliver services, and complements our broader corporate responsibility and compliance frameworks.

Our approach to ethical procurement and labour standards is embedded in company policy and day-to-day operations. The Merton skip hire team requires that all workers be treated with dignity and that employment rights are respected. We communicate expectations clearly to staff and suppliers, and we maintain training for managers and staff to identify and respond to the risks of modern slavery. SkipHire Merton actively monitors recruitment practices and ensures that no fees are charged to workers for recruitment, and that terms of employment are fair and transparent.

As part of enforcing our zero-tolerance policy, Skip Hire Merton undertakes supplier due diligence and verification. Our supplier audits focus on key risk areas: recruitment practices, working hours, wage compliance, identity checks, freedom of movement, and health and safety. Suppliers must demonstrate adherence to our code of conduct and labour standards. If concerns are identified, we require an action plan and follow up audits until deficiencies are resolved or we terminate the business relationship.

We adopt a risk-based supplier assessment process for the skip-hire Merton supply chain, prioritising suppliers in geographies or sectors with higher risk indicators. Our procurement contracts contain explicit modern slavery clauses and the right to audit. Where appropriate, we include contractual obligations for sub-suppliers and require transparency in the chain of custody for labour and services. These measures help ensure that our operations and the operations of third parties align with Skip Hire Merton's ethical standards.

Reporting channels are essential to identify and remedy potential breaches. Skip Hire Merton provides multiple secure and confidential channels for raising concerns, available to employees, contractors and external stakeholders. These include an anonymous reporting hotline, an internal HR escalation process and a direct mechanism to senior compliance personnel. We treat all reports seriously, protect whistleblowers from retaliation, and investigate promptly, documenting findings and corrective actions.

To reinforce transparency, our internal governance requires escalation of any allegations of modern slavery to senior leadership and the board where appropriate. The Skip Hire Merton compliance team maintains records of investigations, outcomes and remediation steps. We publish relevant information in our annual compliance reporting and ensure continual improvement in our prevention and remediation processes.

In addition to supplier audits and reporting mechanisms, Skip Hire Merton invests in staff training and awareness-raising. All procurement and operations staff complete training on identifying signs of exploitation, safe recruitment practices and how to use reporting channels. We also work collaboratively with industry partners and local authorities to share best practice and strengthen responses across the waste management sector.

Key Commitments and Actions

Our principal measures include:

• Zero-tolerance policy: Clear prohibition of modern slavery in all forms across our business.
• Supplier audits: Risk-based audits, contractual clauses and follow-up remediation.
• Reporting channels: Confidential hotlines, HR processes and board escalation.
• Worker protections: Fair pay, safe working conditions and no recruitment fees.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

Skip Hire Merton commits to an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and our policies to assess effectiveness and update actions. The annual review includes analysis of supplier audit results, trends in reported concerns, effectiveness of remediation and progress on training. Outcomes are used to refine risk assessments, strengthen contractual requirements and prioritise further audits. The review is overseen by senior management and informs our strategic priorities for the following year.

Through ongoing monitoring, rigorous supplier engagement and clear, accessible reporting channels, Skip Hire Merton strives to eliminate modern slavery from our operations and supply chains. We will continue to strengthen our governance, invest in staff capability and work with partners in the community and industry to promote fair and safe working practices across the Merton area and beyond.