The Government must act quickly to strengthen modern slavery legislation according to the final report from the Modern Slavery Act Independent Review Panel.

The results of their investigation were published yesterday. The panel was made up of Frank Field MP, Maria Millar MP and Baroness Butler-Sloss and in total, the group made 80 recommendations for modern slavery laws.

The report itself covers four areas: the role of the anti-slavery commissioner, transparency in supply chains, independent child trafficking advocates and the legal application of the act.

CARE involved in the investigation

Hard though it is to imagine, there are estimated to be as many as 136,000 people in modern slavery in the UK. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 was a landmark moment in the fight against human trafficking. The 2015 Act has now been in force for four years, so it is absolutely right that it is reviewed to make sure the legislation is working as effectively as possible.

We were able to make recommendations to the review panel as it gathered evidence from individuals and organisations who work in the area of human trafficking.

Our response to the final report

CARE’s Senior Policy Officer – Human Trafficking, Louise Gleich said: “CARE particularly welcomes the adoption by the Review of our recommendations that the Government should roll out the specialist advocate scheme for trafficked children across the whole of England and Wales and bring that part of the Modern Slavery Act into force as soon as possible, and also allow advocates to continue supporting a child beyond their 18^th birthday where necessary.

“We also welcome the Review’s recommendations that action is needed to strengthen the independence of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner, something CARE specifically recommended.

“Helpfully, the report also highlights concerns about the lack of consistent support for people after they are confirmed as victims by the authorities and urges the Government to look again at this issue in the future.

“The panel members also indicate that they plan to consider the impact of the laws on prostitution on human trafficking over the coming months with a separate report to be published in the summer.

“For many years CARE has raised concerns that the demand for prostitution creates a market into which people are trafficked for sexual exploitation and proposed tackling demand by making it illegal to pay for sexual services.

“We hope this inquiry will pave the way for legislation criminalising the purchase of sex.”