10 years on, is the Modern Slavery Act still fit for purpose?

Ten years after it became law, the Home Affairs Committee will examine the impact of the Modern Slavery Act in an evidence session on Tuesday 25 March.

• Evidence session: Tuesday 25 March, 9.30am 
• Inquiry page: Modern Slavery Act: ten year review 
• Watch live at www.parliamentlive.tv
• Home Affairs Committee

Modern slavery encompasses a number of offences, including human trafficking, slavery, forced servitude and compulsory labour.

When it was introduced in 2015, the Modern Slavery Act was seen as world-leading in its approach to tackling these forms of exploitation. Measures contained  in the Act include longer sentences for modern slavery offences and improvements in how victims are supported.

It also required large businesses to set out their approach to dealing with modern slavery internally and in supply chains.  

In 2024, 19,125 potential victims were referred to the modern slavery National Referral Mechanism. However, despite the growing number of referrals, ten years on approaches to tackling modern slavery have moved on and there are concerns that the UK is no longer world-leading. 

In this evidence session, the Home Affairs Committee will examine the current impact of the Modern Slavery Act and the UK’s performance in dealing with modern slavery.

It will investigate how effective current mechanisms are in identifying victims of modern slavery and bringing perpetrators to justice.

It will also look at whether victim support services are adequate and ask what improvements may need to be made to restore the UK as a world leader in tackling modern slavery.

Committee Chair Dame Karen Bradley said: “Modern slavery is complex and often hidden, targeting some of the most vulnerable in society. We have seen how county lines has exploited children and young people to support the drug trade, but this is just one form and it has been seen in a broad range of legal and criminal enterprises. 

“Exactly ten years on from the passing of the Modern Slavery Act, we are holding this session to understand if the UK is doing enough, not only to uncover these crimes but support the victims as well. Are the right mechanisms and policies in place, or does more need to be done to ensure the UK is a world leader in tackling this form of crime?”