Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 49
Unacceptable 18-month vacancy for Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner breached statutory duty.
Conclusion
We welcome the Home Office’s appointment of a new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) and look forward to inviting her to speak to us as soon as possible, to understand how she intends to prioritise the prevention of human trafficking—including tackling demand, the prosecution of offenders and the protection of victims. However, it is unacceptable and appears to be, at least in spirit, a breach of the statutory duty that there has been no IASC in post for a year and a half, during which time key legislative changes have been made and levels of public discourse around modern slavery have been high. Furthermore, there was no good reason for the delay in this appointment. The role of the Commissioner is crucial not only because of the Government’s statutory obligation to have an IASC in post, but also because it provides an essential, independent voice that is vital in the current political debate about human trafficking and modern slavery in the UK.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomed the appointment of a new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner at the end of 2023 and looks forward to working with her, but did not address the committee's concern about the unacceptable delay in her appointment.
Paragraph Reference:
49
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government were also delighted to welcome a new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner at the end of 2023, who we trust will provide tremendous insight and expertise as she takes up this role. We note that the Committee heard from the new IASC on 6 February, and we look forward to working with her to continually improve the UK’s response to modern slavery.