Asked by: Lord McColl of Dulwich (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they started to draft the public statement about their overall objectives and approach to using UK aid to tackle modern slavery internationally, which they undertook to do in 2021 in their response to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact's review of the use of aid to tackle modern slavery, published on 14 October 2020; why the publication of this statement has been delayed; and when it will be published.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government remains committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in line with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 by 2030. The UK has supported over 120 modern slavery programmes internationally and here in the UK, since 2017 alone. Ministers are considering next steps on our strategic approach.
Asked by: Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party - Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's announcement on 23 January of a cross-government ministerial task force on immigration enforcement, what steps she is taking to identify victims of labour exploitation during enforcement action; and what training is provided to staff on labour exploitation, human trafficking and exploitation that does not meet the modern slavery threshold.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The increase in enforcement comes as the Home Office establishes the UK’s first cross-government ministerial taskforce on immigration enforcement, which will ensure every available power across government is utilised to support law enforcement activity to identify and reduce illegal migrants in the UK, and ensure only those eligible can work, receive benefits or access public services.
The taskforce will go further and faster to prevent the abuse of our laws and borders and crack down on individuals exploiting the generosity of the UK taxpayer. Further information will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to appoint an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
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 Home Secretary recognises the importance of the role of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and has committed to running a new open competition to recruit for this role. This process will begin shortly.
The competition will be conducted as quickly as possible, whilst ensuring we take the necessary steps to recruit the best person for the role.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia over the continuance of modern slavery and other reported human rights abuses of expatriate workers in that country, particularly domestic workers, farmers and drivers.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
His Majesty's Government has regular discussions with Saudi Arabia about modern slavery and labour laws. I last discussed these matters on 21 December with the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission. We welcome the labour law reforms for migrant workers that were announced in 2021 and have encouraged the Kingdom to expand these to include domestic workers. We also welcome progress in implementing the Saudi National Action Plan to combat human trafficking, including recent agreements with the International Organisation for Migration and the UN.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will review the impact of UK firms on working conditions in other countries.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The FCDO does not have plans to conduct a review of the impact of UK firms on working conditions in other countries.
The UK Government is a strong advocate for promoting and implementing established international principles and frameworks - such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (through the UK's National Action Plan) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises - which encourage businesses to protect and improve human rights and the environment across their operations and supply relationships. The UK is committed to the eradication of all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking (Sustainable Development Goal 8.7) by 2030.
The FCDO's Supply Partner Code of Conduct provides a mechanism to ensure that organisations delivering services or goods for the government provide both value for money and behave ethically. This is embedded proportionately within all FCDO contracts, holding suppliers responsible and accountable for ethical behaviour, safeguarding, social responsibility and human rights. Membership of the UN Global Compact on Business and Human Rights is a requirement for suppliers with commercial contracts.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on appointing a new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Sarah Dines
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.
A decision on the appointment is under consideration.
Asked by: Caroline Nokes (Conservative - Romsey and Southampton North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women have been issued with notices of the Government’s intention to remove them to Rwanda through the Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership; and how many of these women have disclosed histories of (a) sexual or gender-based violence, (b) human trafficking and (c) modern slavery.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
A breakdown of individuals considered for relocation under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda is not currently available.
The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of individuals being managed under inadmissibility rules and can be found online at How many people do we grant asylum or protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Karen Bradley (Conservative - Staffordshire Moorlands)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will appoint the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Answered by Sarah Dines
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.
A decision on the appointment is under consideration.
Asked by: Baroness Butler-Sloss (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why an Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner has not been appointed in accordance with section 40(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
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 which can be found on GOV.UK.
A decision on the appointment is under consideration.
Asked by: Chloe Smith (Conservative - Norwich North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that asylum seekers who are (a) women and (b) unaccompanied minors are not falling victim to (i) modern slavery and (ii) human trafficking whilst residing in temporary hotel accommodation.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The UK is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of people making life-threatening journeys to cross the Channel. These boats are often carrying unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and this has placed unprecedented pressure on the National Transfer Scheme. Out of necessity and with the children’s best interests in mind, we have arranged for them to be accommodated on an emergency and temporary basis in hotels whilst placements with local authorities are being vigorously pursued.
We have safeguarding procedures in place to ensure all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in emergency interim hotels are as safe and supported as possible whilst we seek urgent placements with a local authority. Young people are supported by team leaders and support workers who are on site 24 hours a day. Further care is provided in hotels by teams of social workers and nurses.
The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of children leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.
All asylum seekers, including children, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army.
The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.