Scottish government want tough anti-slavery law UK and Scottish ministers are in discussions over how to bring in a new anti-slavery law in Scotland which will give human traffickers life sentences, following the publication of a Bill for England and Wales yesterday. The Modern Slavery Bill contains provisions to give automatic life sentences to offenders who already have convictions for very serious sexual or violent offences. The draft Bill, originally announced by Home Secretary Theresa May at the Conservative Party conference in September and laid down in parliament today, pulls together into a single act the offences used to prosecute slave drivers. It aims at punishing those behind the trade in human beings into the UK, with victims often forced into prostitution or providing free labour. Priority While the Bill in Westminster only affects England and the UK, the Scottish Government have also made it a priority with the prospect of a private members bill from Labour MSP Jenny Marra. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Human trafficking is a heinous crime and clearly an international and cross-border partnership approach is the most effective way to tackle it. We are giving careful consideration to the UK Government's proposed Modern Slavery Bill and are working with them to explore the potential for the Modern Slavery Bill to cover Scottish interests. We note Ms Marra's consultation on a proposal for a Bill and will give careful consideration to any Bill brought forward on human trafficking. Support Human trafficking charity Hope for Justice said ensuring victims are properly supported is essential to successfully prosecuting offenders. Charity founder Ben Cooley said: "We've learnt from experience that victim welfare is inextricably linked to the prosecution of perpetrators. When victims are supported from rescue right through to the courtroom, their testimonies make all the difference in seeing justice served. Sadly, we don't always see that happen in the UK and Hope for Justice exists to stand in those gaps. This Bill is a critical step towards ending slavery in our country but going forwards we must all ensure that victims are supported so they don't disappear on the other side of initial after-care provision just to be re-trafficked. Commissioner The Bill also introduces Trafficking Prevention Orders to restrict the activity and movement of convicted traffickers and stop them from committing further offences. A new Anti-Slavery Commissioner will be appointed to hold law enforcement and other organisations to account. Mrs May admitted that the government still does not know how many "modern day slaves" there are in the UK. She said: "What we do know is that we have seen more referrals to what is called the national referral mechanism, where people are able to refer people who they think have been trafficked, who they think are the victims of modern slavery, into a central mechanism. The number of referrals has been increasing, and it's on that basis that we believe that we have seen an increase in this absolutely horrendous and appalling crime. Consensus Labour shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the legislation should do more to provide protection for child victims of trafficking. She said: "There is cross-party consensus that we need new action to tackle modern-day slavery. And we welcome the limited moves in this Bill. But we would like to see the Bill go further - particularly to provide stronger legal protection for child victims. It is right to increase sentencing for traffickers and to make it easier to prosecute these heinous crimes and prevent repeat offending. But this Bill should also be an opportunity to end the suffering of slavery victims, particularly children, and I urge the Home Secretary to include action in the Bill. It is appalling that two-thirds of children found by the authorities after being held as slaves go missing again because the system to protect them isn't strong enough.