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Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
29 March 2023
Lead MP
Peter Bone
Wellingborough
Con
Responding Minister
Sarah Dines
Tags
Migrants & BordersCrime & Law EnforcementJustice & CourtsLocal Government
Word Count: 13501
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Peter Bone raised concerns about human trafficking and modern slavery in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The hon. Member calls on the Government to ensure that confirmed victims of human trafficking receive temporary leave to remain under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, without this being overridden by the Illegal Migration Bill. He requests a meeting with the Minister before the Bill's Report and Third Reading to discuss these concerns.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The hon. Member for Wellingborough is concerned about the increasing cases of human trafficking, noting that in 2022, almost 17,000 potential victims were referred to the national referral mechanism—an increase of 33% on the previous year. The average number of days a victim waited for a conclusive grounds decision was 543 last year, up from 560 previously. He highlights that around 80% of UK nationals referred are children and that many go missing from local authority care after being trafficked. Additionally, he criticises the current system's failure to properly support child victims compared to adult victims. The MP is also concerned about low prosecution rates for modern slavery offences, with an average custodial sentence of just four years and one month, which he believes does not deter offenders.
Andrew Selous
Con
Wellingborough
Andrew Selous intervened to support his colleague's speech on the importance of addressing modern slavery globally, citing the International Labour Organisation's estimate that 50 million people are in modern slavery, predominantly in south and south-east Asia. He highlighted the need for the UK Government to challenge governments and businesses involved in supply chains to ensure goods produced under such conditions do not reach the UK.
Giles Watling
Con
Clacton
Watling, a yachtsman, shared an experience where he witnessed the French warship Athos circling a small boat crowded with people in distress. He expressed concern over the Home Office's weak border control and its impact on taxpayers, noting that £7 million per day is spent on hotel fees for migrants. Watling also highlighted issues faced by local councils due to lack of time to prepare services when migrant hotels are opened at short notice.
Holly Lynch
Lab
Rhondda
Ms Lynch highlighted the increasing number of victims, noting a rise from 12,786 in 2021 to nearly 17,000 referrals in 2022. She shared Sanu's story and discussed failures in identifying British victims and referring them to the NRM. Concerned about delays and inconsistencies in support systems, she called for improved first responder training and a multi-agency approach in decision-making processes.
Thurrock
Does my right hon. Friend share my concern that the fact that modern slavery has become part of the debate on the Illegal Migration Bill, which is before the House, means that we are forgetting some of the most vulnerable victims in our society right now? I particularly highlight the cuckooing of people with learning disabilities, who are perhaps the most discriminated community in our society. If we let the debate continue to be seen through the prism of migration, we will be letting down the most vulnerable.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon highlighted the intersection of human trafficking and freedom of religion or belief, emphasizing that girls and women persecuted for their faith are at risk of being trafficked. He cited a 16% increase in forced marriages of women in countries with high Christian persecution and noted that religious minorities in Pakistan face squalid living conditions and poor working conditions due to their beliefs. Mr Shannon also called for the mainstreaming of freedom of religion or belief in international development and aid policy.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Discussed the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle human trafficking and modern-day slavery, emphasizing both domestic and international efforts. She highlighted the importance of supporting victims and prosecuting offenders, referencing specific incidents like the Purfleet lorry incident in Wellingborough. Patel noted that 28 million people globally were forced into labour and 22 million into marriages as per ILO estimates in 2021, an increase from previous years. She also mentioned the delay in appointing an anti-slavery commissioner due to government changes but stressed it should be a whole-of-Government effort.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Sarah Champion thanked Andrew Selous for securing the debate and reinforced his points. She mentioned a meeting with the International Justice Mission in India, which has been working to create child advocates who ensure trafficked children receive proper support services. The MP expressed concern about the Government's approach to tackling modern slavery, particularly through the Illegal Migration Bill. She highlighted that conflating migration with modern slavery hinders efforts to assist survivors and hold traffickers accountable. The MP also criticised provisions in the Bill that would disqualify victims of trafficking from protections under the national referral mechanism. The focus on sentencing is very welcome, but more attention should be given to the pull factor. Women often face sexual exploitation and men are drawn into cannabis farms. Tougher legislation targeting these pull factors could prevent human trafficking.
Roger Gale
Con
North Thanet
The hon. Member emphasised the importance of ensuring no products in Parliament are produced by slaves, advocating for the use of soft power and overseas aid to address this issue.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow North West
Mr McDonald highlighted the conflation of trafficking and immigration by the Government, which is undermining protections for victims. He expressed concern over the impact of the Illegal Migration Bill on victims of trafficking, noting that it would reduce the number of referrals to the National Referral Mechanism without reducing actual cases of slavery. He also questioned the Home Office's claims about system abuse, stating there was no evidence backing up these allegations. Mr McDonald raised issues with recent updates to modern slavery statutory guidance which he argued may prevent genuine victims from accessing support.
Government Response
Sarah Dines
Government Response
Expressed total disgust at cases of human trafficking and modern slavery. Highlighted the government's commitment to preventing these crimes, supporting genuine victims, and bringing perpetrators to justice. Acknowledged the importance of sentencing guidelines for modern slavery offences, increased funding to law enforcement units, and addressed challenges in identifying and prosecuting offenders. Mentioned the significance of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the need for further progress on criminal justice reform. Noted the government's commitment to protecting child victims through independent child trafficking guardians and addressing cuckooing as a significant issue. Emphasized ongoing efforts to meet obligations under ECAT, supporting victims with £300 million over five years, and ensuring temporary permission to stay for confirmed victims aiding investigations. Highlighted the importance of appointing an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and working on the Illegal Migration Bill to protect borders from criminal gangs.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.