Notice of Motion

Labour Group

Committing to making Brighton & hove free of modern slavery

That this Council opposes modern slavery in all its forms and requests officers to bring a report to the next ordinary meeting of the TECC Committee exploring proposals to commit the Council to doing everything in its power to make our city free of modern slavery, and ways to work with national and local government, law enforcement agencies, business, the community and voluntary sector, faith bodies and our local communities to;

· demonstrate strong leadership for anti-slavery initiatives:

· raise awareness amongst our staff, associates and the people we service on a daily basis

· train our staff to recognise and respond appropriately to potential signs of slavery

· share intelligence and information to help detect slavery and ensure it cannot take root

· support victims and survivors in our communities

· remove slave-based labour from our supply chains

· contribute to building a prosperous and slavery-free economy.

Proposed by: Cllr Appich                                                  Seconded by: Cllr O’Quinn

Supporting Information:

This would mean Brighton & Hove stands in support of the United Nations Global Sustainable Goal 8.7 to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour by 2030.

This builds upon the Modern Slavery NOM that the Labour Group brought forward in 2018.

Modern slavery includes human trafficking, domestic servitude, forced labour or criminality and sexual exploitation.

There are more slaves worldwide today than at the height of the Atlantic slave trade in the 18th Century. That includes over 13,000 modern slaves in the UK today - and the number is growing.

Modern slavery is a hidden crime, and it is closer than we think. It is happening in every corner of the country, and that includes here.

As part of the City of Sanctuary national network, Brighton & Hove seeks to celebrate the contribution of those that have come here for safety and to reduce isolation, fear and exclusion. Brighton & Hove cannot deny its past and works hard to be a safe and welcoming city to all who come here.