RECENTLY, Euro-MPs from all the main political parties backed new EU plans to tackle human trafficking, an evil trade that often coerces extremely vulnerable people into forced employment, including the sex industry.

The new rules are an attempt by European countries to work together so that human traffickers have nowhere to hide and their victims can be sure of support. It’s an issue on which it makes perfect sense to cooperate with our EU neighbours.

Sadly, the British Government has decided to opt out of these plans, so I want people in the North-East to back my campaign by writing to their MP to ask them to pressure the Government into taking action.

If you’re willing to stand up for these vulnerable women and children, write to your MP (it’s easy to do at writetothem.com) to ask them to call on the Government to opt in to the EU directive on human trafficking.

Stephen Hughes MEP (Labour), North-East European Constituency Office, County Hall, Durham.