Three year plan to defeat the slavers

The national law enforcement agency set up to tackle worker exploitation and modern slavery across the UK economy has vowed to relentlessly pursue slavers and perpetrators responsible for abusing people’s labour.  

Described as the country’s ‘anti-slavery police’ the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has published a three year plan setting out its approach to dealing with what Prime Minister Theresa May has called ‘the greatest human rights issue of our time.’  

Home Office estimates put the number of slaves in the UK between 10-13,000, though the true figure could be even higher.  

The GLAA came into being in May this year following legislation within the Immigration Act 2016. Its investigating officers have police-style powers to arrest, search for and seize evidence in relation to offences under the Modern Slavery Act; and investigation of offences under the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and Employment Agencies Acts.  

In its three year plan, approved by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the GLAA says its over-arching aim is ‘working in partnership to protect vulnerable and exploited workers.’ 

This will be done by:  

• preventing workers from being exploited in the first place
• protecting vulnerable people and potential victims so they are less likely to be exploited and,
• pursuing relentlessly, disrupting and prosecuting those who engage in the exploitation of workers

GLAA Chief Executive Paul Broadbent said: “We now have the capability and an increase in resources to go after those unscrupulous and very often ruthless individuals, who exploit others for their work either financially, physically or through coercion and control. It is abhorrent and has no place in modern society."

“Our plan demonstrates a firm commitment and outlines a simple, yet effective, strategy for tackling the issue of labour exploitation and modern slavery across the UK economy. We will work closely with the police and other enforcement agencies such as the National Crime Agency, HMRC and Employment Agency Standards officers." 

 “But we will also reach out to businesses, employers and the public, because through raising awareness and educating people about labour exploitation, we can make real inroads into eradicating these despicable practices.” 

Within the first six months of operations, the GLAA has 150 ongoing investigations, more than 70 of them criminal. The authority has protected hundreds of workers through refusal or revocations of licences and dealt with more than 400 workers subjected to exploitation or abuse.  

Mr Broadbent added: “We need the eyes and ears of the public to come forward and report any concerns or suspicions they have about people being exploited for their labour. If intelligence is the lifeblood of protecting workers from abuse then the GLAA is the beating heart that will prevent exploitation." 

There are a number of ways you can report concerns or suspicions about labour exploitation – by calling the GLAA on 0800 432 0804, ringing the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 121 700 or calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Note to editors: 

• A copy of the GLAA’s plan can be found by clicking here http://www.gla.gov.uk/whats-new/our-plan-to-tackle-labour-exploitation/
• The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is the foremost investigative agency for labour exploitation in the UK. Its mission is to prevent, detect and investigate worker exploitation across the entire economy. Find out more at www.gla.gov.uk
• For interview opportunities call the GLAA communications team on 0115 959 7034