MPs urge action over human trafficking trade
An MP has claimed that children are being bought and sold in the UK for £15,000, during a debate in Westminster Hall on human trafficking on 18 May 2011.
DUP MP David Simpson said it was not enough for the government to produce "strategies", saying it was "time for action".
The debate was led by the Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster Mark Field who said that various agencies and services needed to improve their working relationships.
He said human trafficking was "not just an issue for the police, but also for social services, housing and immigration officials".
Mr Field added that there needed to be improved surveillance at points of entry, such as London St Pancras station which handles international rail traffic from the continent.
In March the government announced that it was to opt-in to an EU directive on human trafficking which extends punishment to those who help the smuggling gangs.
Jail sentences for the most serious offences will be at least five years, rising to 10 where there are also aggravating circumstances.
Concerns were raised over the merging of the UK human trafficking centre with SOCA - the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
However Home Office Minister Damian Green said the work done by the human trafficking centre would be unaffected by the move.
There are believed to be millions of victims of trafficking worldwide - in a multi-billion dollar industry.
The UN estimates that about 2.5 million people are involved in forced labour as a result of trafficking.
It says the majority of victims are between the ages of 18 and 24 years and about 1.2 million children are trafficked each year.
SEE ALSO
[TRAFFICKING MONITOR: CLICK ON URL BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE DEBATE:]BBC - Democracy Live - MPs urge action over human trafficking trade
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