The United Kingdom is witnessing modern slavery at unprecedented levels, with the government's independent anti-slavery commissioner warning that the situation is expected to deteriorate further over the next decade. According to a new report, the number of referrals to the national referral mechanism, which assesses potential victims of slavery and provides support, has nearly doubled in the last five years, rising from 12,691 in 2021 to 23,411 in 2025—the highest figure ever recorded.
Root Causes and Future Threats
The report, titled "Anticipating Exploitation: A Futures-Based Analysis," was published on Tuesday by Commissioner Eleanor Lyons. It attributes the surge not only to improved detection but also to worsening conditions both domestically and globally. "Poverty, global instability, conflict, global displacement of people and the breakdown of safe migration routes are creating a growing pipeline of vulnerability that traffickers are quick to exploit," the report states.
Compiled from research by over 50 experts across law enforcement, government, civil society, and charities, this is the first comprehensive forward-looking analysis of how modern slavery and human trafficking might evolve in the UK over the next decade. Lyons warned that without decisive action, the crisis could escalate further, driven by emerging technologies. She highlighted the use of artificial intelligence to scale up and professionalise exploitation, the rise of digital labour in "scam compounds" that entrap individuals into investor and romance fraud, and the integration of cryptocurrencies into trafficking models.
Areas of Concern
The report also raises alarms about the continued growth of gig economy platforms, coercive labour in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and mining, and an increase in reproductive slavery, including enforced egg harvesting and surrogacy. Lyons called on ministers to boost funding for specialist police units to disrupt exploitation, prosecute businesses that enslave or exploit workers, and launch a national campaign to help the public recognise and report exploitation. She also urged the government to improve victim care.
Urgent Action Needed
Without urgent intervention, the report warns that criminal networks will become more cunning, less visible, and harder to disrupt. "Slavery and the most harrowing forms of exploitation are becoming more widespread in this country and evolving faster than we can respond," Lyons said. "As exploitation becomes more complex and more hidden, driven by technology and global instability, it will spread further and become harder to stop unless we act now."
International Evaluation
Separately, a report published on Tuesday by the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) highlighted a steep rise in potential trafficking victims. While welcoming steps taken by UK authorities, such as not holding victims responsible for criminal acts forced upon them by traffickers, GRETA urged the UK to adopt further measures to align its anti-trafficking laws, policies, and practices with international conventions. The report stressed the need for more resources, better coordination between law enforcement and other agencies, and reinforced financial investigations. It also called for additional safeguards to prevent trafficking for labour exploitation and the trafficking of vulnerable groups, including children, migrants, asylum seekers, and homeless people.
Government Response
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Modern slavery is a global scourge that abuses and exploits people for profit. We are committed to reviewing the modern slavery system to reduce opportunities for misuse of the system, whilst also ensuring that we have the right protections for those who need it. We are working with brave survivors to inform policy development and improve the process of identifying victims. We have also taken immediate action to reduce the backlog of cases, ensuring victims get swift decisions and the support they need to rebuild their lives."
