Lyle & Scott
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources
British brand selling polo shirts, knitwear and sweatshirts.
Lyle & Scott can't show that the workers who make its products in Bangladesh and India earn a living wage, which workers there are very unlikely to.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in Bangladesh, China and India.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Lyle & Scott says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Italy | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Madagascar | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Tanzania | Systematic violations | Far below a living wage | Low |
| Vietnam | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Lyle & Scott's 2024/25 modern slavery statement says its garments are made in a small number of factories in Italy, Bangladesh, India, China, Turkey, Vietnam, Madagascar and Tanzania; it gives no shares. Factories are audited every 12 to 24 months by independent bodies such as Sedex/SMETA, but it publishes no supplier list, no audit results and no living wage commitment. Not in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Lyle & Scott Limited publishes a UK modern slavery statement for 2024/25, approved by its board in November 2025. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Not assessed in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, which covers brands with a large Australian presence. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Ethical Fashion Guide 2026 (Baptist World Aid) · search the archive · The 2026 Ethical Fashion Report list does not include Lyle & Scott
- Lyle & Scott Icon Logo Pique Polo (ASOS Australia) · search the archive · Lyle & Scott clothing sold online to Australian shoppers through ASOS Australia
- Lyle & Scott (COSH! Brand Index) · search the archive · Says the brand does not provide enough transparent information to be assessed (page updated December 2023)
Published by Lyle & Scott or its owner
- Lyle & Scott Limited Modern Slavery Statement 2024/25 · search the archive · Factories in Italy, Bangladesh, India, China, Turkey, Vietnam, Madagascar, Tanzania; audits every 12-24 months; no shares or living wage figure
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Lyle & Scott ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/lyle-and-scott, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded basics
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Lyle & Scott.