The presence of slavery and forced labour in the operations and supply chains of many businesses internationally and in the UK is a grave problem. According to the International Labour Organization, there are as many as 21 million people in forced labour around the world, which is estimated to generate a profit of $150 billion per annum.
 
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is designed to tackle slavery in the UK, in England and Wales. James Brokenshire was quoted as saying that the act would "send the strongest possible message to criminals that if you are involved in this disgusting trade in human beings, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be locked up."
 
The act contains a number of provisions related to trafficking and slavery in the UK. It also contains a new clause on global supply chains.
 
The Transparency in Supply Chain Provisions require businesses to publish an annual statement if they have an annual turnover above £36 million. The statement must confirm the steps taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in the business (or in any supply chain). Or businesses may declare that no steps to confirm the existence of slavery or trafficking have been taken but few businesses would take the latter option as it may place their ethical position into question and affect their reputation. There are, however, no legally binding requirements to conduct due diligence on supply chains and there are no criminal or financial penalties for non-compliance.
 
Although the transparency statement need only be made by companies with a high turnover, any business supplying such a company may be requested to provide supply chain information, including the antiques, reclamation and salvage trade and its subcontractors. Businesses involved in supply of new replica and reproduction items may be more susceptible to chain of custody requests.
 
A map of slavery around the world shows that it is most prevalent in Africa and Asia. According to anti-slavery groups, modern slavery overseas is mostly domestic. However some topics have received international attention and stories in the UK press and on TV, such as child labour and bonded labour in the quarries of Rajasthan making flagstones, many of which are sent to the UK.