Modern slavery and human trafficking statement
This statement is provided on behalf of Age UK and its subsidiary companies and charities and is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (‘the Act’). It constitutes Age UK’s statement for the financial year ended 31 March 2026.
Introduction
Age UK considers modern slavery and human trafficking extremely serious crimes, grave violations of human rights and contrary to the ethical standards and values we hold dear. As a charity that, as part of its wider objectives, fights for the protection and advancement of human rights in the UK, and around the world through our subsidiary charity, Age International, we have a zero-tolerance approach to such abuses. We are committed to preventing modern slavery in our organisation and ensuring that our supply chain is as equally free of both modern slavery and human trafficking (within the reasonable bounds of our influence and control to ensure compliance with the Act by our supply chain and / or assure ourselves of their compliance).
Our organisation
Age UK is a charity registered in England which exists to promote the wellbeing of older people. Age UK comprises of Age UK and its subsidiary charities and companies.
- Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, funds programmes in over 40 developing countries.
- Age UK’s trading subsidiaries, and Age UK Trading Ltd, generate income to fund the charity’s work.
Age UK and its subsidiaries employ around 1,600 staff, and benefits from the support of in our c.280 charity shops, in England and Wales and a further 5,700 volunteers across our phone lines, 14,569 network volunteers and 156,498 in other informal charitable activities such as campaigning or taking part in various panels.
The vast majority of our staff are employed directly by Age UK and our subsidiaries and are not of an employment status generally considered to be vulnerable to modern slavery in this country. We are not complacent and have robust policies and procedures in place. Our focus, however, is on ensuring that our supply chain complies with the Act, relevant Age UK policies and procedures, and our ethical standards.
Our supply chain
Age UK is committed to improving our practices to identify and eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains, and to act ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships. Our supply chains comprise of over 2,000 suppliers and contractors. Age UK and our subsidiaries use the products and services we purchase from these suppliers to:
- Support our charitable activity and operations
- Provide products for resale in our charity shops
- Offer financial, insurance and legal services for sale to the public by third parties
Age UK works with the Age UK network of over c.120 independent charities to deliver charitable services in the UK. Age International works internationally through a network of partners and agencies, largely as the UK member the of HelpAge International global network.
Policies
Age UK endeavours to raise awareness among all employees of the identification, prevention and eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking, and has policies and procedures in place to ensure that they can do so. The Age UK Procurement function operates across Age UK’s subsidiaries and has oversight of our supply chain. The relevant policies are:
- Age UK’s Procurement Policy and Procedure requires that suppliers are formally approved by Age UK’s Procurement team such that they can only provide goods and services after confirming compliance with all applicable regulations and legislation, including the Act.
- Age UK’s Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure asks staff to confidentially report concerns including modern slavery or human trafficking.
- Age UK’s Safeguarding Procedures acknowledge modern slavery as a form of abuse and, where there is a concern about a child or an adult who with care and support needs, this Policy takes effect.
Supply Chain Due Diligence
Age UK aims to work with only those suppliers that demonstrate high levels of commitment to monitoring and reducing the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking taking place within their organisations or supply chains. As a pre-condition to supplying Age UK, suppliers must confirm their compliance with the Act. If a supplier fails to provide the information requested or meet Age UK’s expectations, Age UK will take appropriate action, which may include not entering into a relationship or terminating the relationship.
Progress in 2025/2026
During the 2025/26 financial year, Age UK maintained its existing controls to mitigate the risk of modern-day slavery and human trafficking across its operations and supply chains. This included continued use of supplier onboarding checks and procurement oversight processes.
During the year, Age UK also implemented a new credit checking system, which is being used to support improved visibility and tracking of higher value and higher risk suppliers. Work is ongoing to utilise this system to strengthen oversight and consistency of supplier management processes. As identified in the prior year, Age UK had planned to develop a targeted training plan for staff with procurement responsibilities. While this has not yet been fully implemented, initial steps have been taken to incorporate relevant awareness into planned procurement sessions.
Plans for 2026/2027
In the 2026/27 financial year, Age UK will continue to strengthen its approach to managing modern day slavery risk across its operations and supply chains.
This will include further embedding the use of supplier tracking systems to support oversight of higher value and higher risk suppliers and continuing to develop training and awareness for staff involved in procurement activities, including through procurement focused sessions where appropriate.
Age UK will also continue to review and maintain its existing policies and controls to ensure they remain effective and proportionate.
This statement is made pursuant to Part 6, section 54 of the Act and constitutes Age UK’s anti-slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 and has been approved by the Age UK Board of Trustees on behalf of Age UK and its charitable and trading subsidiaries.
Paul Farmer
Chief Executive, Age UK
13 May 2026