Government commissions independent review of Modern Slavery Act 2015

An independent review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has been announced by the Home Office today (Monday 30 July) to ensure our world-first legislation keeps in step with this evolving crime.

The announcement comes as new Home Office research today estimates that modern slavery costs the UK up to £4.3 billion.

Each instance of the crime is estimated to cost around £330,000, including the cost of support, lost earnings and law enforcement but most significantly the physical and emotional harm suffered by individuals, who are often exploited over months and sometimes years. This places each modern slavery crime as second only to homicide in terms of harm to its victims and society.

Led by Frank Field MP, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Maria Miller MP, the independent review aims to strengthen the UK’s ongoing response and accelerate progress from government and businesses in eradicating modern slavery.

Victoria Atkins, Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, said: “The Prime Minister established this country as a world leader in this fight through our ground-breaking laws and law enforcement approach.

“However, as this awful crime is evolving, it is our responsibility as citizens, businesses and governments to do all we can to stop exploitation. This independent review will help us identify what more we can do to tackle this terrible, global injustice by enhancing the Modern Slavery Act where necessary.

“Chairing the Business Against Slavery Forum last week, it is clear some companies are leading the way but others are falling behind. I’ve asked for this review to look at if we should strengthen our legislation to ensure businesses are taking robust action to eradicate forced labour in their supply chains.”

The Modern Slavery Act, which is the first of its kind in the world, has helped to transform the UK’s response to modern slavery on a national and international scale by providing police and law enforcement agencies with the powers they need to bring perpetrators to justice and enhancing the protection given to victims. It has led to a significant uplift in law enforcement activity against the criminals behind this vile crime, with more than 600 live investigations currently taking place.

But the criminal networks that recruit and control victims are constantly adapting and finding new ways to exploit victims, and the commissioning of this independent review is an opportunity to enhance the UK’s legislation to effectively tackle this issue. Key areas of focus for the review will be developing understanding of the nature of modern slavery offences, the provisions around legal access and compensation to victims, and improving the support given to child victims.

Legislation currently requires every business with an annual turnover of £36 million and over to publish a statement on their websites outlining what they are doing to prevent and tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chain. Another key focus of the review will be looking at what more can be done to strengthen this legislation and minimise the risk that the goods and services available in the UK are produced through forced labour and slavery.

In the last year, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), which is an arm's length body of the Home Office, made 107 modern slavery arrests.