…We read with concern the allegations that Níjar town council is restricting access to water and electricity in the settlement of Atochares, Almería and have been working to understand the situation for residents of the settlement better through our longstanding partnerships in southern Spain and in collaboration with other UK retailers…

M&S sources a variety of fresh produce from southern Spain, including Almería. For that reason, and in the context of increasingly well-publicised human rights challenges in Spanish agricultural production …in 2021 M&S commissioned an independent risk assessment of one of our key Almerían produce supply chains, in partnership with one of our key direct suppliers…

…a very limited number of our growers in the Almería region provide accommodation for workers, permanent or temporary. Where accommodation is provided by growers, we expect it to meet the standards outlined in our Global Sourcing Principles and the industry best practice guidance developed by the Spanish Ethical Trade Forums…The majority of workers do not, however, live in accommodation provided by the farm…Wherever they live, however, it is important that all workers in our supply chain are able to access their fundamental rights, including aƯordable and safe housing, water, sanitation and healthcare…