Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy: 20 years on, remembering the victims and their impact on modern slavery law

The Morecambe Bay tragedy had a profound and immediate influence on forced labour and modern slavery protections and new laws to ensure this never happened again. Eventually, this tragedy contributed to the development of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, bringing to the fore the issue of exploitative work conditions. As researcher Gary Craig explained, the Morecambe Bay disaster expanded understandings of modern slavery from involving the sexual exploitation of a few hundred women, to being a "Numerically significant issue" taking many forms. The Modern Slavery Act was the world's first law on modern slavery and the first requiring businesses to report how they prevent it in their supply chains. After the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act, there are, formally, more protections for those experiencing slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour. Campaigners, researchers and legal experts have criticised the Modern Slavery Act, saying it focuses too much on prosecutions and does not provide enough support for victims. If you ever suspect modern slavery, report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101.