A group of retailers including Asos, Missguided, New Look and Next as well as 50 MPs are calling for the introduction of statutory licensing of garment factories in the UK to protect workers from forced labour. The announcement follows a newspaper investigation into fast fashion retailer Boohoo which led to allegations of modern slavery at a warehouse in Leicester.

The introduction of statutory licensing of garment factories would include protecting workers from forced labour, debt bondage and mistreatment, as well as ensuring payment of National Minimum Wage, VAT, PAYE, National Insurance and holiday pay.