Slavery isn't over, says Menzies Campbell

The celebrations for 200 years since slavery was abolished are valid, but that's just one form of slavery. Today, in the UK, slavery is very much alive, according to Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell.He said: "Birmingham, like so many other industrial cities benefited from the trade in human beings. The extent to which our nation profited from this exploitation should be a source of shame, and this year we must celebrate the people who worked to abolish the slave trade and remember those who died and suffered at its hands. "But slavery still exists in the UK and we must oppose and tackle all forms of modern day slavery wherever we find it." Currently in the UK: * At least 5,000 children are being forced to work as sex slaves* Over 4,000 trafficked women are working as prostitutes* About 10,000 gangmasters are working across various industrial sectors. Campbell said: "Slavery is a crime that has a devastating effect on the lives of individuals, and contributes to the overall harm caused by organised crime. "Since the 2004 Asylum and Immigration Act there has not been a single prosecution brought for trafficking for labour exploitation. "Our part in the slave trade was despicable and it is shameful that slavery is so prominent in the modern world."