In 2024, the UK saw a record 19,125 referrals of potential victims of modern slavery.

The number of referrals of potential victims of modern slavery has surpassed the previous record, reaching 19,125, according to UK Home Office figures. Modern slavery is on the rise worldwide, influenced by poverty, conflict and migration. In the UK, various categories of people are forced into exploitative work, with the real number of people in this situation estimated at 130,000.