Get in touch: +44 (0) 1273 491423 | hello@ardeainternational.com
Member Account
Menu
  • Home
  • Consultancy
    • Modern Slavery & Supply Chains
    • Sustainable Business
    • Business & Human Rights
    • Business Training, Guides & Toolkits
    • Fees for Environmental And Human Rights Consulting
    • Packages
  • Training
    • Online learning
    • Webinars
    • Workshops
    • Ardea Academy
  • Resources
    • Toolkits
    • Guides
    • Publications
  • Projects
  • About
    • Meet the team
    • Testimonials
    • Partnerships
    • Working with Universities
    • Volunteering
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Our Code of Conduct
    • Sustainability Policy
    • Join us
  • Insights
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Consultancy
    • Modern Slavery & Supply Chains
    • Sustainable Business
    • Business & Human Rights
    • Business Training, Guides & Toolkits
    • Fees for Environmental And Human Rights Consulting
    • Packages
  • Training
    • Online learning
    • Webinars
    • Workshops
    • Ardea Academy
  • Resources
    • Toolkits
    • Guides
    • Publications
  • Projects
  • About
    • Meet the team
    • Testimonials
    • Partnerships
    • Working with Universities
    • Volunteering
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Our Code of Conduct
    • Sustainability Policy
    • Join us
  • Insights
  • Contact
Home • Insights • Publications • Did you know that there are over 130,000 people trapped in conditions of slavery in the UK?

Did you know that there are over 130,000 people trapped in conditions of slavery in the UK?

By Dipak Vashi
22 Jun 2022

This blog was written by guest contributor Dipak Vashi, of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Did you know that there are over 130,000 people trapped in conditions of slavery in the UK? And the nationality of victims most commonly referred to the government’s Modern Slavery national referral mechanism is British. This is a very real issue that is happening right now across the UK.

Modern slavery is an insidious and cruel crime, which occurs with frequency across the UK and beyond, and accountants are in a unique position to help tackle it. ICAEW members are in a privileged position, in that you see the nuts and bolts of your client’s business and are therefore able to spot potential signs of modern slavery first.

Many of the victims are forced to work for little or no pay in small businesses, typically cash based businesses involving manual work. Have you ever noticed something a little bit odd in a client’s activities? A business with output that is far higher than official staffing records? Unusual or unexplained business activities? Payments to staff that appear not to exist? Would you be able to spot the signs of modern slavery and if you did, what would you do about it? Turn a blind eye?

Modern slavery is a financial crime. It is a predicate offence to money laundering. But it is also a human rights abuse. The current system is broken. It does not encourage ICAEW members and auditors to spot and report instances of modern slavery. And it should come as no surprise that, currently, accountants are not at the forefront of fighting the problem. We are not suggesting that ICAEW members have the sole responsibility for tackling this crime, far from it. A joined up, multi stakeholder approach is needed that includes law enforcement, government, charities, and business. With new tools available and utilising the skills ICAEW members already possess, our approach to this crime can be transformed.

ICAEW have also produced information relating to Modern Slavery which provides information on red flags, how to meet regulatory requirements and how you can go beyond compliance to take more of a proactive advocacy role in tackling this crime.

What can accountants do to stop modern slavery? Of course, there are a variety of ways this can be done, but the key message is: silence is not an option.

We have three seminars on modern slavery coming up, sign up is here: https://events.icaew.com/pd/24780/modern-slavery-responsibility-detection-and-accountability 

Contact us:

Contact us to see how we can support you.

You can opt out of hearing from us at any time using the unsubscribe link in our emails. Read our full privacy policy.

Post navigation

Last story
Next story
Ask us anything. From simple queries to complex questions, we're always ready to chat with you. Give us a call. +44 (0) 1273 491423
Ardea International
  • About
  • Join us
  • Contact us
  • Membership Account
  • Newsletter Sign up
Our Services
  • Sustainable Business – Toolkits
  • Modern Slavery in your Supply Chain
  • Training, Guides & Tools
  • Ethics and Compliance

Leading Business Beyond Compliance

T +44 (0) 1273 491423
hello@ardeainternational.com

Ardea International
Fieldview • 21 Staples Barn • Henfield • West Sussex • BN5 9PP • United Kingdom

Get social with us

© Copyright 2023

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer

Insights & news straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Insights & news straight to your inbox

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.