Modern Slavery Statement — Garden Maintenance Westminster

Garden Maintenance Westminster is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking across all our operations and supply chains. This statement sets out our zero-tolerance policy, the practical steps we take to identify and minimise risk, and the governance arrangements we maintain. As a specialist provider of horticultural repair, landscaping and maintenance, our role in Westminster garden maintenance and wider gardening services in Westminster carries responsibilities for workers and subcontractors alike.

Our approach covers direct employees, temporary labour, contract gardeners and third-party suppliers. We recognise modern slavery can take many forms including forced labour, debt bondage and exploitation through unfair recruitment practices. We will not tolerate any practice that breaches human rights or treats people as commodities. Garden Maintenance Westminster expects every partner to uphold ethical labour standards and demonstrate transparent practices.

The cornerstone of our policy is a clear and enforced zero-tolerance stance against exploitation. We embed this across recruitment, procurement and supplier selection through contractual clauses, supplier codes of conduct and mandatory onboarding. Our commitments include:

• Immediate refusal to engage with suppliers implicated in exploitation;
• Proactive risk assessments for new and existing suppliers;
• Remediation and support for affected workers where abuses are identified.

We require all contracts to include protections for workers and clear termination rights if modern slavery risks are not effectively managed.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

We operate a structured supplier audit programme focused on high-risk areas within garden services and landscaping work. Procurement screens potential suppliers for labour practices, subcontracting arrangements and documentation of employment conditions. Audits combine desk-based review with site visits to corroborate records and spot checks on payroll, hours and accommodations for seasonal staff. These steps strengthen the integrity of Westminster garden maintenance supply chains.

Audits are scheduled according to a risk-based model: higher risk suppliers receive more frequent and in-depth inspections. Our audit activities include worker interviews, review of recruitment fee policies and verification that no worker-paid fees create debt bondage. Where issues are found we require detailed corrective action plans, timelines for remediation and follow-up audits to confirm improvements. We also support suppliers with training and practical guidance to help them meet our standards.

Due diligence extends to recruitment agencies and subcontractors. We explicitly prohibit the charging of recruitment fees to workers, insist on transparent wage practices and require evidence of lawful working rights. Corrective measures range from contractual warnings to suspension or termination of contracts where suppliers fail to remedy critical violations. These measures apply across garden maintenance contractors in Westminster and to any associated suppliers engaged by our partners.

Reporting Channels, Protection and Training

We provide multiple, confidential reporting channels for staff, contractors and third parties to raise concerns about exploitation. Reports can be raised anonymously and will be investigated promptly and fairly. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation and ensure that investigations are handled sensitively. Everyone has the right to report suspected abuse without fear of reprisal. Our reporting lines are accompanied by clear procedures for escalation and case management.

Training is mandatory for managers and procurement teams, focusing on recognition of exploitation indicators, safe recruitment practices and how to support vulnerable workers. We deliver regular briefings, scenario-based learning and updates when policies or laws change. This training supports a culture where spotting and reporting modern slavery is part of everyday management within gardening maintenance in Westminster.

We maintain accessible guidance for suppliers and workers that explains how to report concerns and what protections are available. Communications are delivered in plain language and translated where necessary to ensure understanding. Our HR and compliance teams collaborate to provide timely remedial support for victims and to ensure that any disciplinary or contractual action is proportionate and consistent with remediation objectives.

Governance for this statement sits with senior leadership who are accountable for compliance and the effective operation of controls. We monitor key performance indicators from audits, investigations and supplier performance to assess effectiveness. Remediation plans are assigned clear owners, deadlines and follow-up checks to confirm sustained improvement.

We commit to continuous improvement through stakeholder engagement, supplier development and incorporating good practice from across the landscaping and garden care sector. Our policies are reviewed in light of new risks and emerging evidence, and we adapt our controls accordingly to protect the workforce involved in Westminster garden care.

Finally, Garden Maintenance Westminster will undertake an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and of the actions taken to prevent exploitation. This review evaluates audit outcomes, reporting trends and the effectiveness of training and supplier audits. Where necessary, we will update our procedures and strengthen oversight to ensure that our gardening services in Westminster remain free from modern slavery and that workers are treated fairly and with respect.