Slavery Bill failings

Proposed legislation to tackle slavery and trafficking is tough on traffickers but does little for the welfare of their victims, says solicitor Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC.

Writing in this week’s NLJ, Bindman says the home secretary’s Modern Slavery Bill consolidates existing laws and imposes tougher sentences for offences, including potential life imprisonment for kidnapping and false imprisonment. It gives judges powers to make Slavery and Trafficking Prevention and Risk orders and creates the post of anti-slavery commissioner.

While the home secretary has expressed sympathy for the victims, however, the commissioner has not been given responsibility for their welfare. Bindman says that offering “too much practical help” for trafficked victims is a difficult pill for the government to swallow