Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent BBC documentary, “Slavery on the High Street”, which highlighted the plight of victims forced into modern slavery in a Cambridgeshire McDonald’s restaurant and in a London bakery supplying leading supermarkets, and how those exploiting them pocketed their wages.

This government is deeply concerned about the rise in forced labour cases in the UK.

We are committed to tackling modern slavery, ensuring that victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted and brought to justice.

It is crucial that businesses play their part in addressing modern slavery risks within their operations and supply chains. Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 established a requirement for businesses to report on how they are tackling modern slavery in their organisation and supply chains. It is more important than ever for businesses to step up and take responsibility for conditions in their operations and supply chains. I expect businesses in the UK to be world leaders in this regard.

The Home Office is currently working with a wide group of stakeholders from business, academia and civil society to update the Section 54 statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.