This idea has been created by the Scrutinise team as a historical case study. It represents real legislation that reached the statute book through civil society advocacy. It is presented here to show how that process might have looked on Scrutinise.
Modern Slavery Act 2015
Consolidated slavery and trafficking offences into a single Act, established the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and introduced transparency in supply chains requirements for large businesses.
Summary
Consolidated slavery and trafficking offences into a single Act, established the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and introduced transparency in supply chains requirements for large businesses.
Challenge (summary)
Slavery and human trafficking offences were scattered across multiple Acts, making prosecution difficult. The scale of modern slavery in the UK — estimated at tens of thousands of victims — was largely hidden.
Approach (summary)
Consolidate all slavery and trafficking offences, create a dedicated commissioner to oversee the government's response, and require large companies to disclose steps taken to ensure their supply chains are slavery-free.
First step (summary)
Introduce a Modern Slavery Bill consolidating offences under the Slavery, Servitude and Forced Labour Act, create the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner role, and mandate annual transparency statements from businesses with turnover over £36m.