Modern Slavery Act 2015
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 aims to:
- pursue organised criminals and opportunistic individuals involved in modern slavery
- prevent people from engaging in modern slavery crime
- protect vulnerable people by raising awareness
- protect people from becoming victims
- improve how organisations prepare for modern slavery crimes
- reduce the harm caused when these crimes take place
Modern slavery is estimated to be one of the world’s most profitable criminal activities.
A 2014 Home Office assessment estimated that there were between 10,000 and 13,000 victims in the UK.
Sexual exploitation is the most common form of modern slavery currently reported by potential victims in the UK. This is followed by:
- labour exploitation
- forced criminal exploitation
- domestic servitude
Legal duty for councils
The Council has a duty to co-operate with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, where reasonably practicable.
The Commissioner acts in the interests of victims and potential victims by making sure the law enforcement response to modern slavery is co-ordinated.
Section 43 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 says that specified public authorities, including borough councils, have a duty to co-operate with the Commissioner.
The Commissioner may ask a specified public authority to co-operate in any way that the Commissioner considers necessary for the Commissioner’s functions.
Partnership working
The Commissioner’s Strategic Plan was published in October 2015.
One of the priorities is best practice within partnership working. This includes:
- making sure partnerships are in place across the country
- supporting effective communication between relevant organisations
- working with law enforcement, local authorities, health care bodies and non-governmental organisations
- promoting best practice
- providing comprehensive guidance
- encouraging further development of outcome-focused models across the UK
Procurement and supply chains
Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires the Council to consider modern slavery as part of its procurement strategy.
This helps make sure contractors and third parties have policies in place and follow the law and their responsibilities.
Charter against modern slavery
In July 2018, the Council agreed unanimously to adopt and apply the Co-operative Party’s Charter Against Modern Slavery, as far as legally possible.
All suppliers to the Council will be asked to confirm that they, or their organisation, have taken and will continue to take action to address risks to human rights within their organisation and supply chain.
This includes adopting a whistleblowing policy that allows staff to report any suspected examples of modern slavery.
UK City Transparency Map
In partnership with GOV.UK, TISC report has published a live transparency map.
The map shows how local authorities are using their buying power to help remove modern slavery and labour exploitation from supply chains.
Councils can upload their suppliers onto the site and see which suppliers comply with the Modern Slavery Act.
Users can click on any council that has joined the scheme to see how many of its suppliers have complied with the Act or produced a modern slavery statement.