Boohoo addresses allegations of unethical manufacturing at Leicester factory

Fast fashion retailer Boohoo has responded to allegations during a BBC Panorama investigation that it has failed to keep its promises of fair and ethical clothing production at their new Thurmaston Lane factory in Leicester.

Boohoo introduced a new factory in 2022 as part of its Agenda for Change to display improved ethical practices.

This action came after Alison Levitt KC’s 2020 investigation revealed unsafe conditions and failure to pay the minimum wage in Leicestershire factories during the lockdown.

However, during a 10-week undercover role at Boohoo’s Manchester headquarters, BBC reporter Emma Lowther observed a consistent disregard for these declared commitments.

A spokesperson from Boohoo has now responded to these allegations and told TheBusinessDesk.com: “Boohoo has not shied away from dealing with the problems of the past and we have invested significant time, effort and resources into driving positive change across every aspect of our business and supply chain.

“Alison Levitt KC conducted an independent review of our supply chain and made a number of recommendations to improve working conditions and transparency. With oversight from Sir Brian Leveson, we have implemented every one of these recommendations including improving corporate governance, strengthening the ethical and compliance obligations on those wishing to supply Boohoo, regularly publishing our full list of approved global manufacturers, responsibly exiting from relationships with suppliers where standards are found to have fallen short, supplementing audit processes with regular unannounced checks and more. The action we’ve taken has already delivered significant change and we will continue to deliver on the commitments we’ve made.”