This year could see a decisive breakthrough against modern-day slavery. Action by the British Government looks as though it could be matched and furthered internationally by Pope Francis. Those Jeremiahs who caution against expecting too much need reminding that no initiative of any substance against slavery was being predicted as 2013 broke.How different things are now, 12 months on. The newly elected Pope Francis made countering human trafficking one of the aims of his pontificate and within a short space of time the British Government has moved from dismissing the need for a bill to counter slavery to publishing one. The Modern Slavery Bill will begin its parliamentary passage this month. This is a highly significant and commendable move. The bill will begin its pre-legislative journey