| We have returned to the subject of gangmasters following our previous, highly critical, report published in September 2004.
The response of the Government to our previous report has not been sufficiently urgent. In particular, it has failed to conduct research into the nature and extent of the problem of illegal gangmasters. Without such research it cannot possibly say whether its policies and actions have been successful. Ministers did not seize upon our previous report and tackle the problem with urgency until a Private Member's Bill was introduced in the House of Commons, and until the tragedy of Morecambe Bay. In short, policy in this area has been driven by outside events.
There is, though, evidence of successful enforcement operations on the ground. We commend those involved. But we urge the Government to ensure that enforcement is better co-ordinated.
The structures put in place to ensure co-ordination in policy-making and in directing enforcement activity are muddled. It is not clear who in Government is responsible for the issue, leading to confusion and delay in, for example, sending a Minister to Morecambe Bay after the incident there. We recommend that the structures be streamlined, and that a single Minister is put in charge.
Finally, we support the Gangmasters (Licensing) Bill. But the Bill is not a panacea. Greater urgency and effort across Government is required, together with the Bill, to ensure that illegality and exploitation by many gangmasters is curtailed.
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