Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has launched a scathing attack on the government’s energy policies, claiming they rely on “slave labour” in China.
The senior Tory MP has accused Labour of supporting supply chains that exploit forced labour, particularly in the production of renewable energy components.
Sir Iain told GB News that peers have tabled an amendment to the government’s GB Energy bill that would prohibit the use of products made using slave labour.
The amendment is brief but significant, according to Sir Iain.
Iain Duncan Smith hit out at the Energy Secretary
GB NEWS / PA
“It’s about three lines, and it says that GB Energy are not allowed to invest or purchase any product made from China or anywhere by slave labour. And that says simply, no slave labour in the supply chains,” he explained.
He specifically highlighted concerns about polysilicon used in solar arrays from Xinjiang, where he says a genocide is taking place.
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“The men that have been put into these slave labour camps are producing that,” Sir Iain told GB News.
Sir Iain pointed to China’s rapid rise in the net zero market, suggesting it’s due to unfair practices.
“One of the reasons why China has gone from nowhere on net zero to suddenly the dominant player in the world is because they break the WTO rules, because the banks subsidise their industries,” he said.
He claimed slave labour is widespread in Chinese manufacturing of renewable energy components.
Iain Duncan Smith joined Camilla Tominey on GB News
GB NEWS
“In solar arrays and also in the wind turbines, lots of that stuff is made by slave labour,” Sir Iain stated.
He added that governments are aware of these practices.
Sir Iain warned that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is “determined to overturn that amendment” ahead of a crucial vote.
“On Tuesday, Labour MPs will be asked to vote for slave labour in our supply chains. And I say it like that because that is exactly what will happen,” he said.
He accused the government of pursuing a rushed net zero programme “by using the most persecuted group of people possible.”
“On Tuesday, Labour [MPs] will be asked to vote for the introduction of slave labour into UK supply chains,” Sir Iain reiterated.
Sir Iain also criticised the government’s approach to China more broadly, particularly regarding a new Chinese “super embassy” in London.
He expressed security concerns about its location “right across the big communication lines” between key London districts.
“The security services, we know, said we don’t like this at all, because they’ll be able to tap into that and disrupt it,” he warned.
Sir Iain accused the government of being “in kowtow, bended knee” to China.
“We salve our consciences because China burns coal and fuel, dirty fuel to make all the net zero stuff for us,” he added.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) spokesman told The Telegraph: “No industry in the UK should rely on forced labour, and through Great British Energy we have a clear plan to build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment.“
This is in addition to initiatives like the Clean Industry Bonus, which will incentivise clean energy manufacturing and stronger domestic supply chains across our industrial heartlands.
“We are also working across government to tackle the issue of forced labour in solar supply chains, and the relaunched Solar Taskforce is focusing on developing supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour.”
GB News has approached the Department for Energy Security& Net Zero for comment.
