Anti-trafficking groups attack 'ill-considered' Coalition policy

The Government was today accused of a "staggering lack of understanding" of how to deal with human trafficking.

Leading campaigners told of their "frustration, anger and despair" at the Coalition's approach to tackling modern-day slavery. They warned that Britain will lose international standing unless "ill-considered policy" is overhauled.

The concerns were raised in a letter to David Cameron from Baroness Butler-Sloss and former MPs Clare Short and Anthony Steen, trustees of the Human Trafficking Foundation.

The foundation acts as a focal point for non-governmental organisations, who are angry about a lack of consultation by the Government. The trustees wrote: "An entire body of NGOs, community groups and grass-roots associations has been moved to frustration, anger and now despair We face the real prospect that Britain will slip behind in the battle to eradicate modern slavery."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The UK has an excellent record on tackling trafficking and the Government is determined to build on that.

"The voluntary sector has an important part to play, both as service providers and sources of expertise. We are actively engaging with them and the APPG to inform our new strategy, which will be published in due course."