Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress she has made towards the appointment of a new Anti-Slavery Commissioner following the interviews of candidates for the role which took place in April 2022; and what her planned timetable is for making a final decision on a new appointee for that role.

The role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) as set out in the 2015 Modern Slavery Act is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences and the identification of victims.

The process to recruit a new IASC follows the principles set out within the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/578498/governance_code_on_public_appointments_16_12_2016.pdf

A decision on the appointment is under consideration and an announcement will follow in due course.

My Rt Hon friend the Home Secretary will set out the Government’s plans for modern slavery legislation in due course. We will engage with the new IASC on the legislation following their appointment.

The Government continues to work with a range of partners to shape its response to modern slavery and will look forward to working with the new IASC when appointed.