The United Kingdom is increasingly becoming a low-risk, high-reward environment for traffickers and exploiters, according to a leading anti-slavery organisation. Andrew Wallis, CEO of Unseen, warns that the country is failing to protect victims of modern slavery, with cases of exploitation climbing to their highest level on record.
Record Levels of Exploitation
A recent report from the UK’s modern slavery helpline revealed a 41% increase in exploitation cases in 2025. This alarming trend reflects a deeply troubling reality that has been observed by anti-slavery organisations across the country. As a consortium of leading groups has warned, the UK is not keeping pace with the scale of exploitation, leaving too many victims without protection and too many perpetrators beyond reach.
Urgent Need for Action
Wallis emphasises that the current situation demands more than incremental reform. A shared vision for the next decade outlines practical steps, including stronger corporate accountability, a more effective criminal justice response, a survivor-centred system, and a coordinated national strategy to tackle child exploitation. These measures require a system-wide shift backed by political will and sustained investment.
While the picture is bleak, Wallis remains hopeful. With decisive leadership, the UK can move beyond merely managing modern slavery to ending it altogether. The call to action is clear: the time for meaningful change is now.
