Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States of America about efforts to seek the release of the Chinese activist Dr Wang Bingzhang.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government stands firm on human rights in China. We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively).
We continue to coordinate efforts with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations and will continue to call on China to uphold its commitments under international law.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of China about the release of the Chinese activist Dr Wang Bingzhang.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government stands firm on human rights in China. We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang, Vice Premier He and Vice Premier Ding respectively).
We continue to coordinate efforts with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations and will continue to call on China to uphold its commitments under international law.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on how many occasions in the last 10 years the "chosen lifestyle choice" contained in Schedule 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has been cited in prosecutions and convictions of those profiting from modern slavery.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Modern slavery is a barbaric crime that dehumanises people for profit. The Government is committed to tackling it in all its forms and continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies and prosecution services to strengthen the operational response, to ensure we use every tool to pursue perpetrators and that victims are supported to recover from this horrendous abuse.
The Home Office Bulletin on Asset Recovery enables us to review how the powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are being utilised by law enforcement in modern slavery cases.
The value obtained from orders in modern slavery cases can fluctuate depending on the specifics of each case and the criminal proceeds involved. There has been a consistent upward trend in the imposition of confiscation orders since the financial year 2021, however, we recognise more can be done to disrupt criminal enterprises and support victims of modern slavery through compensation.
That is why a key part of the Government’s work with the police and criminal justice partners is to encourage the use of financial investigations at the earliest opportunity in modern slavery cases. Through the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit (MSOIC), funded by the Home Office, guidance and training has been delivered to forces to both enhance understanding of modern slavery among financial investigators, and to support Senior Investigating Officers’ use of financial investigation techniques.
Alongside this work, the National Crime Agency is also working with the banking sector through the Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce to identify red flags in financial transactions and alert these to the authorities.
During Anti-Slavery week last October, the Safeguarding Minister hosted roundtables with law enforcement agencies, criminal justice partners and Non-Government Organisations to get a better shared understanding of the criminal justice challenges. Over the next year, the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit will lead work to develop a national framework for the investigation of modern slavery, to support police forces to secure better criminal justice outcomes, including through increased use of asset recovery powers.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding by the charity, Unseen, showing that in 2024 the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 generated £243 million, of which only £854,000 was attributable to the proceeds of modern slavery, and what plans they have to increase the use of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to combat modern slavery.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Modern slavery is a barbaric crime that dehumanises people for profit. The Government is committed to tackling it in all its forms and continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies and prosecution services to strengthen the operational response, to ensure we use every tool to pursue perpetrators and that victims are supported to recover from this horrendous abuse.
The Home Office Bulletin on Asset Recovery enables us to review how the powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are being utilised by law enforcement in modern slavery cases.
The value obtained from orders in modern slavery cases can fluctuate depending on the specifics of each case and the criminal proceeds involved. There has been a consistent upward trend in the imposition of confiscation orders since the financial year 2021, however, we recognise more can be done to disrupt criminal enterprises and support victims of modern slavery through compensation.
That is why a key part of the Government’s work with the police and criminal justice partners is to encourage the use of financial investigations at the earliest opportunity in modern slavery cases. Through the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit (MSOIC), funded by the Home Office, guidance and training has been delivered to forces to both enhance understanding of modern slavery among financial investigators, and to support Senior Investigating Officers’ use of financial investigation techniques.
Alongside this work, the National Crime Agency is also working with the banking sector through the Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce to identify red flags in financial transactions and alert these to the authorities.
During Anti-Slavery week last October, the Safeguarding Minister hosted roundtables with law enforcement agencies, criminal justice partners and Non-Government Organisations to get a better shared understanding of the criminal justice challenges. Over the next year, the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit will lead work to develop a national framework for the investigation of modern slavery, to support police forces to secure better criminal justice outcomes, including through increased use of asset recovery powers.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the impact of the use of the powers contained within the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 on combating modern slavery and supporting the objectives of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Modern slavery is a barbaric crime that dehumanises people for profit. The Government is committed to tackling it in all its forms and continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies and prosecution services to strengthen the operational response, to ensure we use every tool to pursue perpetrators and that victims are supported to recover from this horrendous abuse.
The Home Office Bulletin on Asset Recovery enables us to review how the powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are being utilised by law enforcement in modern slavery cases.
The value obtained from orders in modern slavery cases can fluctuate depending on the specifics of each case and the criminal proceeds involved. There has been a consistent upward trend in the imposition of confiscation orders since the financial year 2021, however, we recognise more can be done to disrupt criminal enterprises and support victims of modern slavery through compensation.
That is why a key part of the Government’s work with the police and criminal justice partners is to encourage the use of financial investigations at the earliest opportunity in modern slavery cases. Through the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit (MSOIC), funded by the Home Office, guidance and training has been delivered to forces to both enhance understanding of modern slavery among financial investigators, and to support Senior Investigating Officers’ use of financial investigation techniques.
Alongside this work, the National Crime Agency is also working with the banking sector through the Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce to identify red flags in financial transactions and alert these to the authorities.
During Anti-Slavery week last October, the Safeguarding Minister hosted roundtables with law enforcement agencies, criminal justice partners and Non-Government Organisations to get a better shared understanding of the criminal justice challenges. Over the next year, the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit will lead work to develop a national framework for the investigation of modern slavery, to support police forces to secure better criminal justice outcomes, including through increased use of asset recovery powers.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are reviewing the National Referral Mechanism for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery; and, if so, what they expect the review to cover.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, prosecuting those responsible and supporting victims in their recovery.
To ensure the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) system operates as effectively as possible, we will launch a public consultation on how the Government can improve the process of identifying victims of modern slavery. This was something that the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls committed to on 27 March in a House of Commons debate marking the tenth anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Lord Moreas made similar remarks on 28 March in a House of Lords debate on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Committee Report.
This consultation will be developed in the coming months and will focus on definitions of a victim of modern slavery, improving identification and decision-making processes, and futureproofing the modern slavery system. A key aim will be to strengthen the system’s credibility, ensuring it effectively serves victims of modern slavery while also being resilient to any challenges that could affect its integrity.
The Government will set out further details in due course.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports from the government of South Korea that a further 3,000 North Korean troops have been sent to fight in the war in Ukraine this year; and what measures they have taken to hold those responsible to account.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is aware of recent reports in the press citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff that DPRK has subsequently deployed a further 3,000 additional troops in support of Russian Forces in Kursk.
As stated by the Foreign Secretary previously, such cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is not only in violation of multiple UNSC resolutions, but also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens global security, including those in the ROK and the UK, and demonstrates the desperation of the DPRK and Russia. We are committed to providing the support Ukraine requires to secure a just and lasting peace.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 December 2021 (HLWS439), what plans they have to publish the review of asylum seeker right to work policy.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government will later this year publish a new white paper on immigration covering a wide range of issues, including enforcement of the rules governing eligibility to work.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the manifesto Putting victims first: renewing the UK’s commitment to victims of trafficking and modern slavery, published in July 2024 by a coalition of modern slavery organisations.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government continues to engage with the coalition of NGOs referred to and a wide range of experts and stakeholders keeping all aspects of asylum and immigration systems under regular review including in relation to trafficking and modern slavery.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to address the illegal extraction of minerals in Tigray; and what assessment they have made of the environmental destruction and harm to livestock caused by these activities.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are monitoring reports of the illegal extraction of minerals in Tigray. It is important that all such activity is conducted legally and with the appropriate approvals from the relevant government authorities in Ethiopia and is done in a way that protects the local environment.