King’s Speech

Lord McColl of Dulwich Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)]

My Lords, I want to raise briefly the issue of modern slavery and specifically the proposals in the immigration and asylum Bill that were announced in the gracious Speech last week. In the background notes for the Bill, I liked the intention to embed provisions to ensure that child victims of exploitation

“are identified and supported more effectively”.

I hope very much that this will include finally bringing into force Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act, to make independent child trafficking guardians available across the whole of England and Wales. I would be grateful if the Minister could confirm whether Section 48 will be started as part of these new measures.

I am, however, very concerned that the inclusion of modern slavery measures in an immigration Bill confuses an issue of human rights abuse with the knotty problem of immigration control, since this could deter victims from coming forward. I am also disappointed to hear the Government speak about “potential misuse” of modern slavery protections, when, in fact, a committee of this House found in 2024 that it had not received

“evidence of widespread abuse of the modern slavery system”,

as my colleague, the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, has already mentioned.

In closing, I ask the Minister to confirm whether the NRM changes will allow discretion on a case-by-case basis, and to assure this House that all modern slavery victims exploited in the United Kingdom will have access to support.

I also add my appreciation for the noble Lord, Lord Hennessy. I have known him for many years. He is, in every way, a giant of a man, and it has been a pleasure to have known him and worked with him. We shall miss him very much.