Modern slavery statement

Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and Office of the Advocate General: Modern Slavery Statement

The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland (OSSS) supports the Secretary of State for Scotland in delivering the UK Government’s strategic priorities for Scotland. With a workforce of fewer than 100 personnel working across its offices in Edinburgh and London, the OSSS is small compared to other Ministerial Government Departments, but the breadth, complexity and depth of its portfolio is extensive and impactful.

The Office of the Advocate General (OAG) shares its Accounting Officer with the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland. OAG officials support the Advocate General for Scotland, one of the three UK Law Officers. They provide critical advice to the wider UK Government on Scots law and the Scottish devolution settlement. OAG is also a small department with around 55 staff based in Edinburgh and London. You can find more information on how OSSS and OAG operate in our Annual Report.

This statement explains the steps that the OSSS and OAG have taken from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 and continue to take to ensure that slavery and human trafficking does not take place within our business operations and supply chains.

In line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, as Ministerial departments we have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery within our business and supply chains and we are committed to sound corporate governance acting ethically, with integrity, and improving our practices to prevent modern slavery.

Both OSSS and OAG are small Ministerial departments and, other than for minor or bespoke purchases, do not normally undertake direct procurement. They utilise existing service contracts between suppliers and other government departments including HMRC, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice. We are assured that each of these government departments has a published Modern Slavery Statement and is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains.

If, subsequently, the OSSS and OAG change their operating model and we do engage in direct procurement, we will comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 which are the principal UK legal framework for public procurement and incorporate national and international public procurement obligations.

We will:

  • continue to review and seek assurances from the government departments that engage in procurement on our behalf;
  • review our modern slavery and human trafficking policy taking into account any potential legislative changes;
  • promote the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy and Public Interest Disclosure Policy to highlight where our staff or our partners can raise issues of concern around this subject by providing a central source of information with appropriate guidance available to staff with regard to all aspects of modern slavery.

This statement was approved by the OSSS Accounting Officer and the Secretary of State for Scotland 5 October 2021 and shall be reviewed annually.