A group of MPs have called for firms to have a legal requirement to report their efforts to stamp out slavery in their supply chains.

The Draft Modern Slavery Bill Joint Committee has recommended a number of changes to the UK's new anti-slavery laws, in an attempt to ensure goods and services sold in Britain are not tainted by slave labour. It also called for the legislation to support businesses already performing well in this area.

MPs also wanted to see separate offences created for the exploitation of children and called for the law to include a fund for legal services and a strengthening of the asset recovery regime. Meanwhile, they argued the Companies Act 2006 should be extended to include reporting on slavery.

The report stated: "Proportionate legislative action can ensure that firms no longer turn a blind eye to exploitation occurring in their names and can therefore stimulate significant improvement."

A number of high-profile figures have supported the plans, including Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen. He said the UK should be proud of its long anti-slavery tradition and said this report was very much part of that.