UK modern slavery referrals hit record high in 2025
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 5
UK modern slavery referrals hit record high in 2025
10 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 5
More than 23,000 potential victims were referred, up 22%, with UK nationals the largest group, followed by Eritreans and Vietnamese.
The anti-slavery commissioner said poverty, debt, insecure work, conflict and displacement are increasing vulnerability, while AI and digital platforms help traffickers recruit and control victims.
A report drawing on evidence from more than 50 organisations warned exploitation will become harder to detect without urgent action, including stronger policing and penalties for businesses breaching anti-exploitation rules.
A decade after its landmark law, why is the UK now a ‘low risk, high reward’ haven for traffickers?
As AI fuels a new wave of slavery, can technology itself become our greatest weapon against it?
A new bill is due this month. Will it finally make big business pay for slavery in their supply chains?
UK Modern Slavery Referrals Hit Record 23,411 in 2025 Amid Systemic Failures and Child Exploitation Crisis
Overview
In 2025, the UK faced a record surge in modern slavery referrals, rising 22% to 23,411 cases. This increase was driven by factors like rising small boat arrivals fueling an 81% rise in Eritrean victims and vulnerabilities in the skilled worker visa system contributing to a 42% increase in Indian referrals and widespread labour exploitation. Children accounted for 30% of referrals, with criminal exploitation, especially county lines drug operations, disproportionately affecting boys. Systemic issues, including long decision delays and the entanglement of victim support with immigration control, led nearly 6,000 victims to refuse help. In response, the government boosted enforcement, introduced digital case management, and planned stronger penalties to tackle exploitation and rebuild trust.