Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 16 October (HL Deb, col 398), what is their estimate of the length of time that the Modern Slavery Act will take to embed; and what measures they are taking in the meantime to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is targeted.

Since the world-leading Modern Slavery Act 2015 was introduced, more victims and survivors are being rescued and supported than ever before, more perpetrators are being brought to justice, and thousands of businesses have published slavery and human trafficking statements. The Government is actively monitoring progress and recently published the UK Annual Report on Modern Slavery setting out the steps we are taking to tackle this abhorrent crime, which can be accessed via: www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery

The Home Secretary also commissioned Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services to assess the police response to modern slavery. The report was published on 24 October and the findings will serve as a benchmark against which to measure police progress and address the issues identified. The report can be accessed via: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/publications/stolen-freedom-the-policing-response-to-modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking/