The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is designed to combat modern slavery in the UK and it consolidates previous offences relating to trafficking and slavery. An important point to note in the Act for business is that businesses over a certain size must disclose each year what action they have taken to ensure there is no modern slavery in their business or supply chains. (See the statutory guidance Slavery and human trafficking in supply chains: Guidance for businesses).
The Home Secretary said at the time the Act was published that ‘Businesses have a vital role to play. Modern slavery is a brutal way of maximising profits, by producing goods and services at ever lower costs with scant regard for the terrible impact this has on individuals. But my message is clear. Businesses must not be knowingly or unknowingly complicit in this horrendous and sickening crime.’
