Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Human Trafficking

14 December 2023 · 7 other contributors

Opened by Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

Crime & Law EnforcementJustice & CourtsSafeguarding & DBS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Diana R. Johnson raised concerns about human trafficking in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The UK's response to human trafficking has been criticized for lacking focus due to other priorities.
  • The post of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner was vacant for eighteen months, causing delays in stakeholder activities and report publication.
  • Low prosecution rates and slow decision-making within the National Referral Mechanism are highlighted as issues.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Diana R. Johnson

The statement highlights the UK's poor response to human trafficking, citing a lack of focus due to preoccupation with small boat crossings and the Rwanda scheme. It notes that the post of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner was vacant for 18 months, leading to significant delays in launching new stakeholder groups and publishing reports on human trafficking. The report details issues such as low prosecution rates, slow decision-making processes within the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), and inadequate support for victims. It calls for strengthening laws against demand-side activities, improving law enforcement training, expanding victim support programmes like 'victim navigator', and ensuring that all modern slavery offences are prosecutable under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Other contributors (7)
  • Tim Loughton Con Brighton Kemptown

    Question

    As a member of the Home Affairs Committee, I concur with everything the Chair has just said. She raised the very unsatisfactory absence of an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner for more than 18 months. Will she elaborate on our recommendation that the Committee should have a pre-appointment hearing role, as we have for certain other positions? That might enable us to chase the Government rather more effectively on filling that role. Secondly, the Chair said that the NRM is not appropriate for children and that the Government have been slow to roll out independent child trafficking guardians, let alone a definition of child criminal exploitation. Does she agree that this goes well beyond just trafficking? This is about child safeguarding, child welfare and children in the criminal justice system, and it really needs a joined-up approach involving several different Departments. Otherwise, these kids will end up being perpetrators rather than the victims that, in many cases, they are.

    Minister reply

    I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman, who is an excellent deputy Chair of the Home Affairs Committee. His contributions are always very valuable. On children, I absolutely agree that we need a joined-up approach across Government. On the hon. Gentleman’s first point, the Committee is disappointed that it has taken so long for an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to be appointed, but we recognise that we could play a useful role in having a pre-appointment hearing for that important role. We said in our recommendations that we would like the Government to consider that, and we look forward to seeing the new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner at the end of January 2024, although that will be after her appointment. I hope the Government will take heed of our call for pre-appointment hearings in future.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst

    Question

    Pays tribute to the right hon. Friend's report on human trafficking for sexual exploitation, noting that 75% of victims are advertised online by pimping websites which do not require age verification or contact information validation. Asks what measures the Government should take to address such issues.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the distressing nature of evidence from adult services websites and highlights that these platforms are used by serious organised criminals for trafficking women. Urges the Government to consider the report's recommendations, as it is clear that these websites contribute to the sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

  • Simon Fell Ind

    Question

    Builds on previous points and suggests working with regulators to make adult services websites better identify and protect vulnerable people. Suggests forcing compliance if necessary.

    Minister reply

    Agrees that the issue needs addressing, highlighting historical offline measures against similar advertising practices which were banned. Hopes that regulators will address current online abuses, encouraging the Minister to take a closer look at this area.

  • Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton

    Question

    Thanked the right hon. Friend for her report on human trafficking and noted concerns about the Government's approach focusing too much on immigration law rather than safeguarding of victims.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges Committee's concern over viewing trafficking through an immigration lens instead of a safeguarding one, noting disappointment with moving responsibility to the Immigration Minister from the Safeguarding Minister in the Home Office.

  • Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North

    Question

    Thanked the right hon. Friend and her team for their report on human trafficking, highlighting several recommendations including resuming publication of annual reports on human trafficking and concerns about prioritisation under the current Government.

    Minister reply

    Agrees with the hon. Friend’s points regarding the lack of annual reports from the Home Office, noting a decline in the UK's standing as a world leader in tackling human trafficking since the Modern Slavery Act was introduced. Also expresses concern over delays and experience level in appointing an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

  • Michael Tomlinson Ind

    Question

    Noted that there were smiles during proceedings.

    Minister reply

    Smiled due to the scrutiny role given by the House of Commons and willingness to work with Ministers while also asking difficult questions. Emphasised the importance of full briefings for officials attending Committee meetings.

Shadow Comment

Tim Loughton

The shadow Minister supports the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Committee regarding human trafficking. He raises concerns about the absence of an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and suggests that pre-appointment hearings for such positions would help in timely appointments. Additionally, he emphasises the need for a joined-up approach involving multiple Departments to address issues like child safeguarding, welfare, and criminal justice system involvement.

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