Anti-Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2020

Reading Transport Ltd trading as Reading Buses, Courtney Buses/Thames Valley Buses and Newbury & District Buses provides bus services in Reading, Newbury, Bracknell and across the Thames Valley. 

The company was established as part of Reading Borough Council in 1901 and since reregulation of the bus industry in 1985 has operated as an independent company, incorporated in 1986 and solely owned by the Council. 

Our commitment to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015

Reading Transport is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking.  As an equal opportunities employer, Reading Transport is committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment that reflects the communities that we serve.

Reading Transport’s recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion once in our employment.

Reading Transport maintains the following policies which are provided to employees during induction and incorporated in our Employee Handbook:

• Company values
• Equal opportunities policy
• Harassment policy
• Whistleblowing policy

Our supply chains

Our supply chains include the manufacturers of vehicles (buses) and vehicle parts, operating consumables such as fuel and oil, the manufacture of uniforms, cleaning services and products, food and vending supplies.  Many of these relationships are specialist and long-standing.

We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains.  As part of our Due Diligence during new procurement, suppliers are asked to provide their Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statements.

Embedding the principles

Over the past 12 months, Reading Transport has undertaken the following activities:

• Made our managers responsible for recruitment aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Reviewed our direct recruitment practices to ensure that all employees are legally entitled to work in the UK
• Made our managers responsible for procurement aware of the Modern Slavery Act

During 2022/23, Reading Transport will undertake the following activities.

• Continue to develop employee awareness of the Modern Slavery Act and formalise the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or trafficking
• Carry out a full supplier Due Diligence audit to ensure compliance with the Modern Slavery Act
• Risk assess and categorise existing suppliers, confirming the appropriate annual reviews and checks to ensure on-going compliance with the Act