Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of racism on modern slavery and human trafficking in Libya and other North African and Mediterranean states.

The Prime Minister has made tackling modern slavery a foreign policy priority, and in September this year launched a Call to Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The UK has committed to doubling UK aid spend in support of this objective to £150 million. The reasons for this vile trade are complex, but, in the case of Libya, the current instability and proliferation of unaccountable armed groups are key drivers of the problem. We are clear that the human rights situation in Libya can only be improved under the stability of a united and representative government, and we continue to work with our international partners to support UN efforts towards this goal. The British Government remains firmly committed to the global fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.​