Modern Slavery

    1. Introduction

    High Street TV [Group] Limited, “the Company”, is committed to carrying on our business operations responsibly with a zero-tolerance approach to any slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain or in any part of our business.

    This statement is made pursuant to Section 54, Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps we have taken to ensure acts of modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our business or any part of our supply chain.

    Slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking (modern slavery) are issues of increasing global concern, affecting all sectors, regions and economies. Modern slavery is fundamentally unacceptable within our business and supply chains and is an important element in our overall approach to business and human rights. The Company is committed to respecting and protecting the human rights of all those who come into contact with our operations, including employees, supply chain workers, customers and local communities. We accept our responsibility to support transparency and honesty; to find and resolve problems, and to work with others to protect the rights of workers.

    1. Company Structure

    At £66m turnover the Company is one of the UK’s largest and most successful Multi-Channel retailers with 5, 24-hour dedicated shopping channels as well as advertising on over 50 digital TV channels in the UK & Ireland including ITV, Channel Four and Channel Five. HSTV key product categories are Small Domestic Appliances, Home Fitness equipment and Sleep. Our products are available to buy via all the main channels of distribution including TV, online, print and mobile and are stocked by the UK’s main retailers.

    We have 70 employees who are predominately based at our main office in the UK.

    1. Our Supply Chains

    We source third party branded products through the brand owners and source our own branded products directly from factories, 95% of which are in China. All these products are delivered through third-party logistics providers to our UK and International customers.

    We expect all our suppliers to act ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implement and enforce effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chain.

    1. Policies

    As an equal opportunities’ employer, the Company is committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for its staff. We have a set of core values embedded throughout the company which set the parameters for how we expect our employees to behave in relation to each other and their employment with the Company. These core values are supported by a series of policies including, but not limited to, Equal Opportunities, Anti bribery and Corruption, Grievance, Disciplinary and Whistleblowing.

    We are also committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains. HSTV has always communicated minimum expectations with regards to Modern Slavery and Trafficking to our suppliers verbally, through regular business negotiations and via our Supplier Code of Conduct.

    1. Monitoring

    We ensure that all new direct factories where HSTV intend to manufacture products are assessed before we use them and that they understand and sign up to the requirements of our Quality, Safety and Compliance Manual which includes Ethical, Environmental and Legal compliance.  All factories are required to hold a certificate for a SMETA or equivalent Ethical audit within 2 years validity.

    HSTV local technical and audit staff visit all direct factories where we have products manufactured; all such visits include regular review of Corrective Action Plans and factory development and improvement initiatives.

    1. Embedding the principles [training]

    During 2024 the Company will:

    • Ensure all staff are 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.
    • Review all policies and procedures within the Company that impact on modern slavery and human trafficking and, where necessary, update existing policies or introduce new policies.
    • Review the wellbeing activities and initiatives in place to support our employees physical and mental wellbeing.
    • Review and, where necessary, update, our Quality, Safety and Compliance Manual and ensure an independent SMETA, or equivalent, ethical audit is undertaken at every factory we use during the year.
    • Map out the supply chain, categorise the risk of all aspects of the supply chain and formulate an appropriate plan for all risks identified.
    • Review the policies in place with our third party branded product suppliers.

    This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 21st August 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

    Verity Fox

    HEAD OF FINANCE

    High Street TV Group Limited