Ten years after the UK introduced the Modern Slavery Act 2015, modern slavery remains an ongoing issue, with an estimated 130,000 people trapped in exploitation across the country.
Understanding Modern Slavery
Modern slavery includes situations where people are forced to work against their will, often under threat or deception. This can happen in various industries, such as agriculture, construction, and domestic work. In 2024, over 19,000 potential victims were identified in the UK, with a significant number being children.
The Modern Slavery Act: A decade on
The introduction of the Modern Slavery Act was a pioneering step in combating human trafficking and forced labour. However, its reliance on voluntary corporate reporting has proven insufficient. Businesses with turnovers exceeding £36 million are required to publish annual statements detailing their efforts to prevent slavery in their supply chains. Yet, these statements often lack depth, and compliance is inconsistent. There are also no substantial penalties for non-compliance, allowing companies to sidestep meaningful accountability.
The human impact
Victims of modern slavery often endure harsh conditions, such as long hours, little or no pay, and threats of violence. Many are afraid to seek help due to fear of deportation or mistrust of authorities. Recent laws have made it harder for victims to get the support they need, treating them more like criminals than individuals in need of assistance.
Modern slavery manifests in various forms across the UK, including forced labour in agriculture, construction, and domestic work. Alarmingly, 31% of potential victims that were identified in 2024 were children, many of whom are British nationals coerced into criminal activities like county lines drug trafficking.
The Modern Slavery Act never made specific provisions to enable victims and survivors of forced labour to access justice in UK courts if the harm occurred overseas. In practice, this means that businesses can “offshore” their human rights abuses rather than taking legal responsibility in the UK.
The role of Anti-Slavery International
Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest human rights organisation established in 1839), continues to lead efforts against modern slavery. The organisation advocates for stronger laws, improved victim support, and greater corporate accountability. It also hosts the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group, which scrutinises the UK’s implementation of anti-trafficking legislation.
Through campaigns and public advocacy, Anti-Slavery International pushes for reforms to address the root causes of exploitation and to ensure that survivors receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.
A brief overview of what work Anti-Slavery International is doing:
- Supporting Survivors and providing assistance to individuals affected by slavery, helping them rebuild their lives.
- Campaigning for stronger laws and policies to prevent slavery and protect victims.
- Working with businesses to eliminate slavery from supply chains and promote ethical practices.
- Collaborating with organisations worldwide to tackle the root causes of slavery and promote human rights.
Through these efforts, Anti-Slavery International aims to create a world where everyone can live free from exploitation.
What steps need to be taken?
To better protect workers and combat modern slavery.
- Strengthen Laws and introduce mandatory requirements for businesses to actively prevent slavery in their operations.
- Implement significant fines or other consequences for companies that fail to comply.
- Ensure that individuals affected by modern slavery receive the help and protection they need, regardless of their immigration status.
- Increase awareness and educate the public and businesses about the signs of modern slavery and how to report concerns.
What are the signs of modern slavery to watch out for
Here are a few signs to look out for. Someone in slavery might:
- Appear to be under the control of someone else and reluctant to interact with others.
- Have few personal belongings, wear the same clothes every day or wear unsuitable clothes for work.
- Not be able to move around freely, and they may not have access to personal identification.
- Be reluctant to talk to strangers or officials including police officers or health workers.
- Appear frightened or withdrawn, or show signs of physical or psychological abuse.
- Be dropped off and collected for work always in the same way, especially at unusual times – very early or late at night.
