Home Office reclassifies modern slavery as illegal immigration issue – The Guardian

‘The Home Office has taken the modern slavery brief away from the minister responsible for safeguarding and classed it as an “illegal immigration and asylum” issue, updated online ministerial profiles show.’

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The Guardian, 13th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Watchdog disputes Braverman’s claim modern slavery laws being ‘gamed’ – The Guardian

‘The head of Britain’s labour abuse watchdog says her organisation has not seen anyone “gaming” the modern slavery system for immigration purposes. The comments directly contradict the home secretary, Suella Braverman, who said last week that trafficking claims from “people gaming the system” were “derailing the UK’s policy on illegal migration”.’

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The Guardian, 9th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research Briefing: Commonwealth and Human Rights Research Briefing Published Tuesday, 30 August, 2022 – House of Commons Library

‘Describes the Commonwealth’s work on human rights and the issues it seeks to address, such as the economic empowerment of women and preventing modern slavery.’

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House of Commons Library , 30th August 2022

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Upper Tribunal Rejects Points-Based Approach to Article 8 Proportionality Assessment – EIN Blog

‘Immigration judges often need to conduct a balancing exercise to assess where to strike the balance between an individual’s Article 8 right to respect for private and family life and the public interest in maintaining effective immigration control by removing a foreign national to their country of origin.’

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EIN Blog, 23rd August 2022

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Asylum seekers in UK waiting more than six months for decision must be allowed to work, UN says – The Independent

Posted August 5th, 2022 in asylum, delay, employment, forced labour, government departments, immigration, news by tracey

‘The government must allow the 70,000 asylum seekers waiting more than six months for a decision to work to stop them from being exploited and drawn into modern slavery, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has said.’

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The Independent, 4th August 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New Guidance Will Help Modern Slavery Victims In Prison – Each Other

‘Victims of modern slavery are to receive better support in prison following a legal challenge which highlighted a lack of guidance for prison staff. The new guidance, to be issued later this year, will help prison staff support victims and potential victims of modern slavery who have been imprisoned under criminal powers.’

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Each Other, 4th August 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

No diplomatic immunity for actions grounded in modern slavery allegations – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Basfar v Wong [2022] UKSC 20. Judgment here, links to hearings here. The landmark decision handed down on 6 July 2022 by a majority of 3 to 2 in the Supreme Court held that a serving diplomat does not enjoy immunity in an employment tribunal claim grounded in allegations of modern slavery.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 18th July 2022

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

No diplomatic immunity in modern slavery cases, Supreme Court rules – BBC News

‘The UK Supreme Court has ruled that diplomats cannot hide behind immunity to exploit workers, in a victory for campaigners against modern slavery.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Judgment: Basfar v Wong [2022] UKSC 20 – UKSC Blog

‘The Appellant (a national of the Philippines) is a migrant domestic worker who worked in the household of the Respondent, a diplomat representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United Kingdom. Ms Wong claims to be a victim of human trafficking who was forced to work for Mr Basfar and his family in circumstances of modern slavery after they brought her with them to the UK in August 2016.’

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UKSC Blog, 6th July 2022

Source: ukscblog.com

Bristol couple jailed for enslaving 29 Slovakian people – The Guardian

Posted June 23rd, 2022 in forced labour, news, sentencing, trafficking in human beings by sally

‘A couple have been jailed for a total of 25 years after trafficking at least 29 vulnerable people to the UK and forcing them to work for free at a car wash and live in a property described as the “gate to hell”.’

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The Guardian, 22nd June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

What Is Modern Slavery And Are Victims Being Failed? – Each Other

‘Despite protections under the Modern Slavery Act (2015), victims of modern slavery in the UK are still struggling to access support, or to be recognised as victims at all. In the first three months of 2021, almost 3,000 potential victims were referred to the Home Office. According to a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by EachOther to the Home Office, between January and September 2021, immigration authorities detained 229 people who were identified as possible victims of modern slavery. Now, charities have raised concerns over the government’s approach to children exploited by drug trafficking gangs and migrant victims of modern slavery, who may be detained and deported if identified.’

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Each Other, 23rd May 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

New protections for rape victims available at more Crown Courts – Ministry of Justice

‘More victims of rape and sexual offences will be spared the stress of being cross-examined in court under a measure rolled out to a further 14 locations today (12 May 2022).’

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Ministry of Justice, 12th May 2022

Source: www.gov.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2022 c. 28 – Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022

2022 c. 27 – Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Act 2022

2022 c. 26 – Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022

2022 c. 22 – Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

2022 c. 20 – Professional Qualifications Act 2022

2022 c. 17 – Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022

2022 c. 36 – Nationality and Borders Act 2022

2022 c. 34 – British Sign Language Act 2022

2022 c. 32 – Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

2022 c. 29 – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022

2022 c. 24 – Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Act 2022

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

UK’s visa schemes ‘creating and heightening’ trafficking and exploitation risks – The Independent

‘The UK’s visa schemes for Ukrainian refugees are “lacking in clarity, resourcing and accountability” and are heightening the risk of trafficking and exploitation, according to a report.’

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The Independent, 29th April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

C of E procedures on racial injustice ‘inadequate’, says Cambridge college – The Guardian

‘The Church of England’s procedures for addressing issues of racial injustice and contested heritage are “inadequate” and “not fit for purpose”, according to the head of Jesus College at the University of Cambridge.’

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The Guardian, 12th April 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ministers ‘failing to protect’ people trafficked to UK as modern slaves – The Guardian

‘Ministers are failing to protect people trafficked to Britain as modern slaves, the government’s own expert has said.’

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The Guardian, 17th March 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

James McCann jailed over worker living in shed – BBC News

Posted February 11th, 2022 in forced labour, imprisonment, news, sentencing by sally

‘A man who kept a slave in a shed with no toilet and sent him to work for a pittance has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 10th February 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Contested heritage – A review of the Church of England guidance – Law & Religion UK

‘In a guest post, Trevor Cooper, of the Historic Religious Buildings Alliance, looks at the issues surrounding “contested heritage”.’

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Law & Religion UK, 21st January 2022

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

UK faces legal action for approving firm accused of using forced labour as PPE supplier – The Guardian

‘The UK government is facing legal action over its decision to keep using a Malaysian company accused of using forced labour as a supplier of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS.’

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The Guardian, 6th January 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Modern slavery victims may face barriers to justice under Priti Patel’s immigration bill, MPs warn – The Independent

‘Modern slavery victims may face barriers to seeking justice while criminal gangs “evade punishment” under Priti Patel’s immigration bill, cross-party MPs have warned.’

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The Independent, 21st December 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk