Corporate report

Modern Slavery Statement 2017-18

Published 26 February 2019

Student Loans Company Limited (“SLC”) is a Government funded non-profit making organisation set up in 1989 to provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK. SLC is a limited company and an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body owned by the Secretary of State for Education, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the Minister for the Economy, Northern Ireland. SLC plays a central role in supporting the Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) sectors by: making timely and accurate payments of maintenance grants and loans to learners; and ensuring timely and accurate payments of tuition fee loans to HE and FE providers. We are located at four sites across the UK in Glasgow, Darlington and Llandudno Junction. More information about SLC can be found here.

1. Modern Slavery policy statement

SLC is committed to the highest level of ethical standards, and has a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business dealings and to taking steps to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking do not exist in any part of our business or supply chains, and to continually improving our practices to combat these crimes.

2. Due diligence process, risk assessment and steps taken

Overall, the nature of SLC’s business means that the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our directly managed business activities and the first line of our supply chain is relatively low. We have reviewed our operations to identify areas where there could be a risk of modern slavery within our business or within our supply chain, and considered what policies and safeguards we have in place to prevent this.

3. Our business

SLC employs around 3,000 staff, all within the UK. At SLC our recruitment processes are designed and managed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK. Via the Baseline Personnel Security Standard process, all employees are required to undertake right to work, referencing and criminal conviction checks to ensure a consistent and compliant approach. We comply with national minimum wage legislation, are committed to upholding the highest standard of employment practices, and have appropriate HR policies in place which staff can use to raise any concerns, including a Grievance Policy and Whistleblowing Policy. SLC also recognise one of the largest trade unions in the UK, PCS, in respect of its staff. We have been an Investors in People organisation since 2000 and are committed to ensuring all of our people processes and practices meet their standards. We consider that all of these processes and procedures operate together as proportionate safeguards against the risk of modern slavery occurring in our business. Any concerns raised will be fully investigated and appropriate remedial action taken.

4. Our supply chain

SLC purchases a range of goods and services with third party suppliers, in excess of £120 million per annum, in line with the legal framework which governs public procurement. SLC has a relatively small supplier footprint with c600 suppliers used in the 2017-18 financial year. We have 6 broad categories which cover the bulk of our supply chain:

• business support suppliers
• property and facilities management suppliers
• people and professional services suppliers
• ICT – software suppliers
• ICT – hardware and telecoms suppliers
• ICT - IT services

Due to the robust complaint controls SLC has in place, we believe that the risk of modern slavery in our supply chain is relatively low. However, SLC recognises the potential risks inherent in the supply chain of goods and services and is committed to upholding the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Ethical Code of Conduct which requires due diligence to be undertaken on appropriate supplier relationships in relation to forced labour and other human rights abuses. If SLC were to become aware of modern slavery or human trafficking in the business or supply chain of any of its suppliers, we would review our rights to cancel the relevant contract/s and notify the appropriate authorities.

5. Further steps

SLC is committed to better understanding our supply chains and working towards greater transparency and responsibility towards people working within them. During 2018-2019, SLC will:

• Make relevant staff aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and inform them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking, either within our own business or our supply chain
• Ensure that the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is referred to and consideration of the modern slavery risks and steps for prevention are added to relevant SLC policies, including our Whistleblowing Policy and our Commercial Manual
• Include a mandatory requirement in new SLC invitations to tender, where appropriate and proportionate, that potential suppliers must declare that they (and any sub-contractors) are compliant with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, will implement appropriate controls to prevent modern slavery, and must notify SLC immediately if they become aware of any instances of modern slavery within their own business or supply chain
• Include the right in SLC standard contract terms and conditions to terminate a contract with immediate effect if a supplier is found to be deliberately using or otherwise benefitting from modern slavery, and to oblige any supplier using a sub-contractor, or other third party, practicing modern slavery or benefitting from it, to immediately cancel that sub-contract

This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps taken by SLC in the financial year 2017-18 to combat modern slavery.

Paula Sussex, Chief Executive Officer

Student Loans Company Limited

This statement was approved by the Board of SLC on 30th January 2019