Review of Modern Slavery Act 2015
In 2018 the number of potential victims of modern slavery rose by a third to almost 7,000 people, with up to a quarter trafficked for sexual exploitation. The problem is growing and must be urgently addressed if Britain is to remain a world leader in this fight.
In July 2018, the government commissioned Frank Field , Maria Miller and Baroness Butler-Sloss to undertake an independent review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The review considered specific provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015: the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, transparency in supply chains, Independent Child Trafficking Advocates and legal application of the Modern Slavery Act.
The final review report was laid in Parliament on 22 May 2019.
The government response to the independent review sets out how the government intends to respond to the recommendations made by the review.
Alongside the response to the independent review, the government has launched a consultation on transparency in supply chains.
Further information, including the terms of reference for the review and copies of the review’s interim reports, is available on GOV.UK. Information is also available on the review’s website, including the expert advisers’ reports used to inform the reviewers’ recommendations.
In the final report of the independent review of the Modern Slavery Act, Rt Hon Frank Field announced that he, Rt Hon Maria Miller and Baroness Butler-Sloss would be “undertaking a scoping review into laws surrounding prostitution in England and Wales and the extent to which they help or hinder police action against trafficking for sexual exploitation.”
This follow-up inquiry into trafficking for sexual exploitation will hear evidence over the summer and publish its findings and recommendations in the autumn. Evidence will be gathered from police, prosecutors, NGOs, victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and international representatives.
