Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 50
50
Accepted
Paragraph: 156
Modern slavery prosecution and conviction rates remain unacceptably low despite legislation.
Conclusion
Despite legislative provisions being in place since 2015, prosecution and convictions rates are still comparatively low across the UK. This is unacceptable.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concern over low prosecution rates and highlights existing measures, such as tightening legislation through the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and updating guidance, to strengthen the criminal justice response.
Paragraph Reference:
156
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
In recent years the Government has tightened legislation to ensure that we have a robust system which supports genuine victims and reduces the opportunity for misuse. In the New Plan for Immigration the Government committed to further strengthening the criminal justice response to modern slavery, including by ensuring victims have the support they need to engage with the criminal justice system so that offenders face justice. Measures under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 came into force in early 2023, which have helped clarify our obligations to victims of modern slavery and reduced opportunities for misuse of our systems. We also updated our guidance on how reasonable grounds decisions are made to better ensure that victims of modern slavery are appropriately identified and receive the support they need.