The Illegal Migration Bill, the UK Government’s flagship legislation to stop small boats crossing the English Channel, will undermine efforts to rescue and support modern slavery victims, MPs warned yesterday.

During the second reading debate on the Bill, MPs from across the House of Commons made similar points in respect to how the legislation impact the UK’s work to tackle modern slavery.

At the end of the debate, the legislation was passed by 312-250 votes and now moves to Committee Stage.

One of the strongest critics was former prime minister Theresa May. She outlined three broad concerns:

1. The blanket dismissal of anyone who is facing persecution and find their way to the UK illegally.
2. Implications for modern slavery – the Bill means genuine victims of modern slavery will be denied support.
3. Whether the policy can actually work.

SNP spokesperson Alison Thewliss meanwhile picked up on the fact that the Bill will see the UK breaching its obligations under the European Convention Against Trafficking (ECAT).

Labour’s Diana Johnson reminded the Commons that modern slavery is not an immigration issue, but a safeguarding issue.

Conservatives Iain Duncan Smith and Robert Buckland – and many MPs made this point – both pointed out the fundamental difference between people smuggling and human trafficking.

Other MPs took up the fact the legislation will negatively impact child victims of human trafficking.

Analysis – by CARE’s James Mildred

It’s not a huge surprise that the legislation passed the Commons. What was helpful was to see cross party concerns raised about how the Bill impacts victims of modern slavery.

Put simply, while the legislation assumes victims will still be identified, they will not be entitled to support or prevention form deportation unless they are helping the police or prosecutors with their enquiries.

In other words, if you’re trafficked into the UK via a small boat, you’re identified, unless you decide there and then to help the police, you’ll be deported. The whole point, however, of long-term support is to give victims the time they need to make those sort of decisions.

Pioneer of the Modern Slavery Act, Theresa May, said the UK Government had agreed to meet with her to discuss her concerns around modern slavery. Perhaps at committee stage, we’ll see some changes and amendments made. They are badly needed.