Modern slavery at record levels in UK and expected to worsen, report warns
Summary
Slavery in the UK is at its highest recorded level and is expected to get worse over the next ten years, according to a government report. The increase is linked to poverty, global conflict, and new technologies like AI and cryptocurrencies, which traffickers may use to exploit people more easily.Key Facts
- Referrals for potential slavery victims in the UK rose from 12,691 in 2021 to 23,411 in 2025.
- The report highlights that worsening global conditions drive more people into vulnerable situations exploited by traffickers.
- New technology such as AI and cryptocurrencies could make trafficking more organized and harder to detect.
- Forms of exploitation mentioned include forced labor in agriculture, construction, mining, and reproductive slavery like forced egg harvesting.
- The report calls for more police funding, better victim support, and a public awareness campaign.
- Another report by a Council of Europe group urges the UK to improve laws and coordination to better fight trafficking.
- Vulnerable groups like children, migrants, asylum seekers, and homeless people are at particular risk.
- The UK Home Office says it is committed to improving the system to help victims and reduce abuses.
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