Modern slavery

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 15) consolidated the offences of slavery, trafficking, servitude and compulsory labour. The most serious offenders can face life imprisonment. Victims can claim compensation (via slavery and trafficking reparation orders) but only if a conviction is secured. The Anti-Slavery Commissioner is responsible for enforcement.

The MSA 15 also requires large employers (global turnover of £36 million, including subsidiaries) to publish an annual slavery and human trafficking statement explaining how they are preventing slavery in their supply chain.

Suspected slavery can be reported to the Modern Slavery helpline: www.modernslaveryhelpline.org. The website also has useful resources and links to relevant service providers.

In May 2019, a review of the MSA 15 criticised the minimal use of the new powers, and attacked the duty to publish modern slavery statements as a weakly enforced “tick box” exercise (40% of businesses provide no statement at all). In response, the last government promised to set up a central hub for the publication of statements with an online searchable database.