Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Osamor Excerpts
Wednesday 17th January 2018

(6 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt
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My right hon. Friend is quite right. Modern slavery is a key part of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s agenda—we have allotted £150 million to it—and the work of the Church of England, in making sure that people see victims and are attuned to their needs, is vital.

Kate Osamor Portrait Kate Osamor (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op)
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I join the Secretary of State in paying tribute to Rebecca Dykes. All our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. I also congratulate the new Minister for Africa on her appointment.

I thank the Minister for his answer, but in truth we must do much more. This is not modern slavery; it is just slavery—pure and simple—alive and flourishing in the 21st century. It is racist and a stain on our humanity. The African Union says that hundreds of thousands are at risk, so repatriating a few thousand will never be enough. Will the Secretary of State address the root courses and re-examine the UK and Europe’s migration policy in the Mediterranean and across Africa?