Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Deferred
Paragraph: 74
Strengthen Modern Slavery Act 2015 enforcement and increase Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority inspectors.
Recommendation
The Government should do more to prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation in both the UK and in corporate supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 should be strengthened by enforcing fines for non-compliance with its Transparency in Supply Chains provisions and by encouraging businesses to practice due diligence when potential modern slavery is discovered. The Government should address systemic gaps in various seasonal visa schemes, and sectors with high demand for foreign labour, which are creating environments susceptible to labour exploitation. It should also ensure that the rate of inspectors within the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority is in line with, or above, the international standard to allow for proactive inspections.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses child-specific strategies and support through local authority safeguarding structures and Independent Child Trafficking Guardians, completely deflecting from the recommendation on preventing labour exploitation, strengthening the Modern Slavery Act, and GLAA inspector rates.
Paragraph Reference:
74
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
19. A separate strategy for children is not required as all policy development considers the relevant needs of adults and children, including through associated law (Children Acts and Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009) and equality impact assessments. Child-specific support, which takes account of child-specific needs and vulnerabilities, is provided through local authority safeguarding structures. Child victims may also receive support from an Independent Child Trafficking Guardian (ICTG).