References to modern slavery in the UK reached a record high last year

The number of potential victims of modern slavery in the UK reached a record high in 2023 and is expected to remain the same in 2024.

Official Home Office data shows the number of people suspected of modern slavery has increased almost tenfold over the past decade, from 1,743 in 2013 to 17,004 in 2023. In the first half of 2024, 8,837 cases were referred.

Jessica Turner, communications manager at Anti-Slavery International, explained that the increase is likely due to better reporting, but that these figures are still likely to be a serious underestimate.

Turner said: “A rise in awareness and better training for aid organisations, as well as the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015, have helped to bring modern slavery into the spotlight.”

According to the Global Slavery Index, an estimated 122,000 people in the UK* are living in conditions of modern slavery, with government agencies such as councils and the police, as well as specialist NGOs, acting as first responders.

These organisations are required to inform the Home Office when they encounter potential victims of modern slavery, through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

Victims have the right to housing if necessary, financial support and access to a care provider.

Modern slavery in the spotlight

The Modern Slavery Act 2015, which Theresa May introduced before she became prime minister, defines modern slavery as any form of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced labour.

The law bundled existing criminal offences into one law and established new duties and powers aimed at protecting victims and prosecuting offenders.

A new legal defense was also created for victims of slavery and human trafficking who were forced to commit crimes as part of their exploitation.

However, Turner believes the law does not go far enough and that the government’s hostile attitude towards migrants in recent years has led to a negative image of victims.

She said: ‘The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 limits the number of people who can access support.

“For example, if someone has committed a crime that carries a sentence of more than 12 months, even if it is part of their experience of trafficking, they may be denied access to support.”

Despite objections to some of these provisions, the Nationality and Borders Act reportedly still prevents or delays survivors’ access to crucial support and identification.

Turner also explained that the Illegal Migration Act 2023 is based on a lot of negative rhetoric and is likely to discourage migrant victims from seeking help for fear of deportation.

She added: “Such legislation only plays into the hands of human traffickers, as it gives them more power over those they exploit.”

What the data shows

Although many people are trafficked into the UK as slaves from abroad, British nationals made up the largest group of referrals last year, at 25% (4,299). This is the highest percentage since the NRM began in 2009.

Albanians were the second most mentioned nationality with 24% (4,052), followed by Vietnamese with 6% (991).

The number of child referrals for potential victims also reached a record high of 44% (7,432) in 2023.

Criminal exploitation, labour exploitation or a combination of both accounted for two-thirds of the forms of abuse to which victims were exposed. Sexual slavery accounted for about one-tenth of the reports.

Numbers in context

Andrew Wallis OBE is the CEO of Unseen, an anti-slavery charity that runs a victims’ helpline and offers support to survivors.

He said: “One thing we are seeing is the criminal exploitation of children in the form of county lines.”

County lines involve the movement of illegal drugs from one area to another, often (but not always) crossing police and local authority boundaries.

Wallis explains: “Young, often vulnerable people are forced into joining gangs where they are forced to commit crimes and then feel unable to ask for help for fear of prosecution.”

According to the National Crime Agency, victims involved in county boundaries often suffer physical, mental and sexual abuse, and can be trafficked far from home as part of the drug trade.

This leaves them isolated and dependent on their abusers.

According to Wallis, unregulated sectors that rely on cash transactions, such as nail salons, launderettes and car washes, are the biggest source of labour exploitation in the UK.

There are an estimated 1,500 nail salons and 250 launderettes in London alone. This may explain why almost half of NRM referrals come from Greater London and the South East of England.

Wallis said: “People are turned into commodities by consumer demand for cheap goods and services.

“What that means is that even if 17,000 victims escape modern slavery every year, as the Home Office data suggests, those people are quickly replaced and the cycle repeats.”

Still more work to do

In a report published in August 2024, the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group highlighted a persistent capacity problem affecting non-statutory first responders, such as NGOs, and explained their importance to victims.

Turner said: “Survivors often fear authorities due to past trauma and uncertain immigration status. These providers provide a safer, more survivor-centred environment, which is essential for openness and support.”

Many campaigners are now focusing on unlocking better funding for aid workers and calling for new laws to undo the damage done by the previous government.

Wallis concluded: “Only when I have confidence that every care provider knows what modern slavery looks like and what to do when they encounter victims, will I know we are tackling this problem effectively.”

*As of latest available data: August 31, 2022.

Data visualizations created with Flourish