This report has been produced by a consortium of leading anti-slavery organisations that have come together to produce a joint strategic vision for the UK Government’s fight against modern slavery in the UK. It focuses on key interconnected priority areas that we believe are foundational to moving the UK forward to achieve meaningful progress in the fight against this crime. However, we recognise that in the longer term, a holistic vision and strategy on modern slavery requires a whole society and whole of government approach that makes tackling this issue everyone’s business with a strong focus on holistic prevention before the harm is done, including early intervention, and after it is done.
Modern slavery is a profound violation of human rights and a serious economic crime that undermines the rule of law and the integrity of our economy. Despite the landmark Modern Slavery Act 2015, the UK’s response has faltered. A lack of a strategic approach to prevention, ineffective business regulation, fragmented policing, siloed safeguarding and support systems, and harmful immigration policies have created a low-risk, high-reward environment for perpetrators, as has been the case for years. It has left survivors with restricted access to the protection and long-term support they are entitled to under international obligations.
The status quo is untenable; it fails victims, emboldens criminals, and tarnishes the UK’s reputation as a global leader in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT). This document presents a strategic vision for the next decade supported by a roadmap to place the United Kingdom at the forefront of the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. Our vision for 2036 is of a UK that has a dual approach: tackling the root vulnerabilities, drivers and causes of MSHT and responding appropriately when it occurs. A UK where criminal networks are consistently dismantled, where businesses are held accountable for exploitation in their supply chains, where every exploited child is safeguarded, and where all survivors are heard, protected and supported towards a life of dignity and sustainable recovery.
This strategic vision focuses on four key priorities which make it realistic and attainable with the right level of leadership and prioritisation. It provides a clear, evidence-based, and phased roadmap for action over the next decade, focusing on leveraging existing resources and efforts of government departments. It focuses on four of the key interconnecting priorities, which should be underpinned by ethical and meaningful inclusion of those with lived experience:
Priority one: Building a new legislative foundation for corporate accountability
We call for the introduction of a new, standalone “Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence and Forced Labour Act” within two years. This Act will replace the ineffective Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 with legally binding obligations, including mandatory human rights due diligence, a ban on goods tainted by forced labour, and upgraded transparency reporting with substantial penalties for noncompliance. As the UK seeks stable growth, higher productivity, and renewed global competitiveness, eliminating human rights abuses and forced labour from supply chains is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity.
Priority two: Dismantling criminal networks through a strengthened justice response
We urge the government to treat modern slavery as a core policing priority and a serious economic crime that impacts national security. This requires sustained investment in specialist MSHT teams, financial investigators, and advanced data analytics. By embedding a trauma informed approach, enhancing civil remedies, providing specialist support throughout the criminal justice journey, for example, by providing access to Victim Navigators, and strengthening police-CPS collaboration, we can reverse the high-reward, low-risk calculus for traffickers and ensure victims receive justice.
Priority three: Ensuring a dignified life and sustainable recovery for all survivors
A survivor-centric support system is fundamental to breaking the cycle of exploitation. We call for systemic reform to create a safeguarding-led infrastructure, provide needs-based, long-term support, and remove legal and policy barriers to recovery. This includes repealing harmful immigration legislation and guaranteeing survivors have access to safe accommodation, legal advice, compensation, and a pathway to settlement that enables effective recovery and reintegration, reducing the risks of re-exploitation.
Priority four: A coherent national strategy for child exploitation
We advocate for the creation of a cross-government UK-wide Child Exploitation Strategy to end the current fragmented and siloed response. This strategy must establish a unified framework, align existing policies, and be grounded in children’s rights. It will ensure every child at risk is identified early and protected through consistent safeguarding processes, regardless of their location, immigration status, or the type of exploitation they face.
Continue reading