Gardeners Westminster Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners Westminster affirms a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery and human trafficking in all parts of our business and supply chains. As a community-focused provider of gardening services, Gardeners in Westminster recognises its responsibility to protect workers, subcontractors and suppliers from exploitation. This statement sets out our commitments, the steps we take to identify and prevent modern slavery, and our ongoing approach to maintaining ethical standards across Westminster gardeners networks.

Our Commitments and Principles

Gardeners for Westminster operates with transparent principles that prioritise dignity, fairness and lawful employment practices. We adopt a zero tolerance approach to forced labour, child labour, debt bondage, involuntary servitude and any form of human trafficking. Our commitments include:

• Ensuring fair recruitment: we require lawful contracts and clear pay terms for all staff.
• Prohibiting exploitative practices: no retention of passports or illegal deductions.
• Protecting vulnerable workers: special attention to subcontractors and temporary staff often engaged by Westminster gardeners.

Due Diligence and Supplier Audits

Gardeners Westminster has established a risk-based due diligence process focused on supplier assessments, site visits and regular audits. We conduct supplier audits to verify working conditions, wage records and recruitment practices across our procurement of plants, materials and contracted labour. Audits combine documentary checks, interviews and on-site inspections. Where higher risks are identified—such as complex subcontract chains or overseas suppliers—we increase the frequency and depth of reviews.

Our supplier code of conduct requires all vendors to comply with labour standards and to permit audits. Failure to meet these standards prompts remediation actions: corrective action plans, time-bound improvements, and, if necessary, termination of contracts. We prioritise working with suppliers who share the values of responsible employment and who demonstrate transparency in their operations.

Reporting Channels and Protection for Whistleblowers

Gardeners Westminster provides accessible reporting channels for staff, contractors and third parties to raise concerns about suspected modern slavery. We operate confidential reporting mechanisms that include secure email, an internal hotline and designated welfare officers within our teams. Reports are treated seriously and investigated promptly by our compliance team. We guarantee protection against retaliation and will support individuals who come forward with concerns.

How to report: reports may be made anonymously where necessary and will be handled with sensitivity, ensuring the wellbeing of those involved while maintaining confidentiality to the fullest extent possible.

Training, Awareness and Stakeholder Engagement

We deliver regular training for managers, procurement staff and site supervisors on modern slavery risks and how to recognise signs of exploitation. Training for Westminster gardeners includes identification of red flags, appropriate escalation routes and the obligations under relevant legislation. We also engage with industry peers, labour groups and local authorities to remain current on emerging risks and best practices.

Our approach emphasises collaboration with suppliers to build capacity and improve standards rather than solely punitive measures. Where suppliers show willingness to improve, Gardeners Westminster offers guidance and support to implement required changes.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Annual Review

Gardeners Westminster undertakes continual monitoring of its anti-slavery measures and publishes an annual review of progress. This review examines audit outcomes, training completion rates, reports received and remediation activities. The Board receives a yearly report and the policy is subject to a formal annual review to ensure measures remain proportionate and effective.

We measure success by reducing identified risks, improving supplier compliance, and increasing the confidence of workers and subcontractors to report concerns. If new risks emerge, the policy and procedures will be adapted promptly.

Governance and Accountability

Senior management at Gardeners Westminster is accountable for implementation of this statement and for ensuring appropriate resources are allocated to compliance activities. Responsibility is delegated to a designated compliance lead who coordinates audits, training and investigations. We maintain records of due diligence and corrective actions for transparency and continuous improvement.

Conclusion: Gardeners Westminster, the collective of Westminster gardeners and partners, remains committed to eliminating modern slavery from our operations and supply chains. We will continue to strengthen our controls, increase supplier scrutiny through audits, provide safe reporting channels for concerns, and conduct an annual review to ensure our zero-tolerance stance is effectively upheld.