Website of the UK government

There are clear links between the concerns for justice that were present 200 years ago, and our ongoing concerns to tackle present-day discrimination in Britain and forms of slavery - such as people trafficking, recruitment of child soldiers and bonded labour - which persist in many parts of the world.

Although many black and minority ethnic communities are thriving in Britain today, inequalities in terms of racism and discrimination, social exclusion and lack of opportunities still exist. Poverty and inequality in the African continent, the Caribbean and elsewhere continue to make people vulnerable to slavery and exploitation. 

We are taking forward work on the following key areas. You can read much more about the government's work to address these issues in 'The way forward', published to mark the end of the bicentenary year.

• The way forward: bicentenary of the abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807-2007 Opens new window

Race discrimination

We are committed to ensuring that every individual, whatever their racial or ethnic origin, is able to fulfil their potential through the enjoyment of equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities. 

The government's race equality and community cohesion strategy 'Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society' brought together practical measures across government to improve opportunities for all in Britain - helping to ensure that a person's ethnicity or race is not a barrier to their success.

In October 2007, the new Equality and Human Rights Commission came into being. The Commission will work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and participate in society by combating discrimination, protecting human rights and promoting good relations between different groups.

In December 2007 the government published its response to the independent REACH panel's report on improving the aspirations and achievement for young black men. We will establish a national role modelling scheme, work with the Department for Schools and Families to strengthen links between schools and the parents of black boys, and work to strengthen the black and minority ethnic voluntary sector.

Improving our understanding of the slave trade

From 2008, children aged 11-14 will learn about Britain's role in the slave trade and its abolition, as a compulsory part of history lessons in schools. The Transatlantic Slave Trade and the British Empire will become a compulsory part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum along with the Holocaust and the two world wars.

This is a difficult and sensitive subject and it is recognised that teachers need help to teach it effectively. The Understanding Slavery Initiative, a joint venture by the National Maritime Museum, National Museums Liverpool and museums in Bristol and Hull, has developed a range of high quality materials to help teachers bring the subject to life for pupils.

Tackling poverty and contemporary slavery

Many problems, including slavery and forced labour, are caused or made worse by poverty. One in five people in the world today, over one billion people, live in poverty on less than one dollar a day.

The UK has doubled its aid budget since 1997, while 2005 saw a historic deal to cancel over $50 billion of multilateral debts owed by poor countries. The government used our presidency of the G8 and European Union in 2005 to push for renewed global commitment to the United Nations' eight 'Millennium Development Goals'.

The UK is committed to increasing our development budget to 0.7 per cent of gross national income by 2013, concentrating our resources on the poorest countries - particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia - and working more in countries with weak or failing governments. The government provided over £1 billion to support poverty reduction in Africa last year.

Education is a fundamental step to empower people to escape poverty and exploitation. The UK has made a commitment to spend over £8.5 billion to support Education for All over the next 10 years. The Department for International Development's Global School Partnership promotes links between schools in the UK and schools in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, with funding of £7.5 million over three years.

Human trafficking

The government is already doing a great deal to tackle human trafficking and has a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that includes legislation, international co-operation, enforcement and support for victims of the trade. In March 2007, exactly 200 years on from the abolition of the legal slave trade, the government launched the UK Human Trafficking Action Plan.

A new UK Human Trafficking Centre was established on 3 October 2006 to carry on the successful work of Pentameter (a UK wide police operation which aimed to combat trafficking for sexual exploitation) and support, develop, co-ordinate and deliver the UK policing response to trafficking in human beings.

On 3 October 2007 the Home Secretary launched Operation Pentameter 2. The main aims of Operation Pentameter 2 include identifying and disrupting those involved in human trafficking, rescuing victims, improving our knowledge and understanding of trafficking, and raising awareness of this form of criminality.

More useful links

• UNESCO Opens new window
• Department for International Development Opens new window
• Education for every child initiative Opens new window
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office Opens new window
• Understanding Slavery initiative Opens new window
• UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking (PDF, 407K) Opens new window
• United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre Opens new window
• 'Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society' - the Government's strategy to increase race equality and community cohesion Opens new window
• Download Department for International Development publication 'Breaking the Chains: Eliminating slavery, ending poverty' (PDF, 1106K)
• Help with PDF files