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

Colston’s firm enslaved the most Africans, David Olusoga tells Bristol court – The Guardian

‘Edward Colston was “chief executive officer” of a company responsible for enslaving more Africans than any other in British history, the historian David Olusoga has told a court, as defendants argued they acted “lawfully” in toppling his statue.’

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The Guardian, 16th December 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Four face trial over toppling of Bristol statue of slave trader Edward Colston – The Independent

Posted December 13th, 2021 in criminal damage, forced labour, news by tracey

‘Four people are to go on trial accused of criminal damage in relation to the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston.’

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The Independent, 13th December 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Court of Appeal rejects claim council infringed right to be protected from modern slavery – Local Government Lawyer

Posted December 9th, 2021 in children, forced labour, human rights, judicial review, local government, news by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has upheld a High Court ruling which found a council did not infringe upon the protections against modern slavery afforded the appellant (H) under Article 4 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).’

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Local Government Lawyer, 6th December 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

New Home Office policy risks ‘driving human trafficking victims underground’, experts warn – The Independent

‘Experts have warned that victims of trafficking risk being “driven underground” under new Home Office plans to grant immigration enforcement teams the power to decide on modern slavery cases.’

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The Independent, 12th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Priti Patel’s immigration bill will make it harder to prosecute human traffickers, top police officers warn – The Independent

‘Priti Patel’s immigration bill risks hampering the prosecution of human traffickers in the UK and making it more difficult for people to escape exploitation, senior police officers have warned.’

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The Independent, 8th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Human trafficking ring gang members jailed – BBC News

‘Three members of a gang linked to the largest human trafficking ring ever exposed in the UK have been jailed.’

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BBC News, 25th September 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK sentencing guidelines for modern slavery offences published – OUT-LAW.com

‘The publication of new sentencing guidelines for modern slavery offences should bring home to UK businesses the continued focus on modern slavery by law enforcement bodies, a legal expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th August 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com