The Modern Slavery Act of 2015 was a significant step forward in the fight against exploitation, holding large businesses accountable for slavery in their supply chains and bolstering protections for victims. However, recent rules introduced in 2023 to curb illegal migration have undermined these protections, with the focus shifting towards addressing the influx of migrants arriving in Britain on small boats each year.
According to interviews conducted by Reuters with individuals in various sectors, including government, law enforcement, the judiciary, and charities, the stricter laws have left countless victims stranded in modern slavery. Many are being denied support or are too afraid to come forward for fear of deportation.
Kathy Betteridge, a director at the Salvation Army, emphasized that modern slavery is a human rights issue, not an immigration one. Despite the alarming increase in rejections of slavery cases – from 11% in 2022 to 45% in 2023 and 46% in the first nine months of 2024 – victims are struggling to qualify for state support due to heightened proof requirements.
The Home Office identified around 17,000 potential modern slavery victims in 2023, with a significant number being migrants exploited in industries like nail salons, car washes, sex work, and the drug trade. However, a House of Lords committee report suggested that the actual number of victims in Britain could be as high as 130,000.
While the Labour government has not amended the legislation despite acknowledging its flaws, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has retained bans on asylum seekers claiming modern slavery protections. The Home Office has pledged to address the backlog of support claims and strengthen measures against criminal gangs perpetrating exploitation.
