Modern Slavery is one of the great evils of our time and it’s happening under our noses. In nail bars, factories and restaurants, it is estimated that tens of thousands of people in the UK could be victims.

Despite this, the Government has recently reclassified modern slavery as an illegal immigration issue rather than a safeguarding issue with the brief now being the responsibility of the Minister for Immigration.

The Government should be treating the crime as an enforcement and safeguarding issue whilst also taking stronger action against modern slavery whenever and wherever it takes place. The decision to change its classification is completely wrong and risky.

The co-operative movement has long fought against the scourge of modern slavery - from Co-operative Councils taking steps to eliminate modern slavery in their supply chains to co-ops providing supporting and employment to survivors.

Join us and add your name now to ensure there is no place to hide for modern slavery.