Modern slavery in the UK is no longer a hidden issue confined to isolated cases, it is growing, evolving and becoming more technologically sophisticated. Recent findings from national reporting and policy analysis reveal a stark reality: exploitation is rising to record levels, and artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to play a significant role in how traffickers operate.
In 2025, 23,411 potential victims were referred to the UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the highest number ever recorded. This figure has risen sharply in recent years, signaling not just improved detection but a genuine increase in exploitation across the country.
Modern slavery includes human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation. While it is often associated with organised crime networks operating across borders, the reality in the UK is more complex.
A growing proportion of victims are British nationals, highlighting how exploitation is embedded within local communities. The steady rise in NRM referrals reflects both increased awareness and worsening social conditions.
Experts point to a combination of factors driving this surge: poverty, global instability, conflict and disrupted migration routes. Together, these forces create what has been described as a “pipeline of vulnerability”, a situation in which people facing financial hardship or uncertainty are more likely to fall victim to exploitation. Offers of work, accommodation or financial support can quickly turn into coercion, control and abuse.
What sets the current situation apart is the increasing use of AI and digital technology by traffickers. Criminal networks are no longer relying solely on physical coercion, they are leveraging data, automation and online platforms to scale their operations.
AI can be used to identify and target vulnerable individuals online by analysing behaviour patterns and personal circumstances. Social media, job platforms and messaging apps are often exploited to lure victims with false promises of employment or stability.
These technologies allow traffickers to operate more efficiently and at greater scale. Automated systems can communicate with multiple targets simultaneously, while digital tools can be used to monitor, threaten and control victims remotely.
One particularly concerning development is the rise of so-called “scam compounds”, where individuals are trafficked and forced to carry out online fraud, such as investment or romance scams. In these cases, victims may be compelled to participate in criminal activity under threat, blurring the line between victim and perpetrator and complicating law enforcement responses.
Cryptocurrency has also become a tool for traffickers, enabling them to move money across borders with increased anonymity and reduced risk of detection.
Modern slavery is not confined to one sector. Cases have been identified across industries including agriculture, construction, manufacturing and care work. Victims are often forced to work long hours for little or no pay, frequently in unsafe or degrading conditions.
There are also emerging forms of exploitation linked to advances in technology and global demand. Reports have raised concerns about practices such as reproductive coercion, including forced surrogacy and egg harvesting, demonstrating how trafficking networks are adapting to new economic opportunities.
The rise of the gig economy and informal labour markets has further increased risks. Workers in precarious roles may lack legal protections, making it easier for exploitative practices to go unnoticed.
Despite the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 being widely regarded as a landmark piece of legislation, there are growing concerns that current responses are not keeping pace with the scale and complexity of the problem.
One key issue is enforcement. While thousands of victims are identified each year, relatively few cases result in prosecutions. This imbalance weakens deterrence and allows criminal networks to operate with limited risk.
There are also gaps in victim support. Some individuals identified through the NRM do not receive adequate long-term assistance, leaving them vulnerable to re-exploitation. Children, migrants and people experiencing homelessness are particularly at risk.
In some cases, victims fall through the cracks of the system entirely, highlighting the need for more consistent and comprehensive support structures.
While AI is being used to facilitate exploitation, it also has the potential to play a key role in tackling modern slavery. Advanced data analysis could help identify patterns of trafficking, detect suspicious activity and support earlier intervention.
Law enforcement agencies and charities are beginning to explore how machine learning can be used to map networks and identify victims more effectively. However, these efforts are still in their early stages.
A major challenge is that regulation has not kept pace with technological change. Digital platforms can be exploited faster than oversight mechanisms can respond, creating gaps that traffickers are quick to exploit.
The outlook for modern slavery in the UK remains deeply concerning. Without significant intervention, the problem is expected to grow both in scale and complexity.
Economic pressures continue to increase vulnerability, while technological advances are making exploitation more sophisticated and less visible. AI, digital labour platforms and global financial systems are all reshaping how trafficking operates.
Modern slavery is no longer confined to hidden locations, it can take place in plain sight, embedded within everyday systems and technologies.
The rise of modern slavery in the UK is a stark reminder that exploitation has not disappeared, it has evolved. AI and digital tools are enabling traffickers to operate with greater speed and reach, while economic hardship is increasing the number of people at risk.
Addressing this crisis will require a coordinated response across government, law enforcement, technology companies and civil society. Stronger regulation, better victim support and more effective enforcement are all essential.
Ultimately, tackling modern slavery means addressing both its symptoms and its root causes. Without action, it will continue to grow, becoming an even more complex and deeply embedded challenge in modern society.
For organisations navigating increasingly complex labour supply chains, Datum RPO offers a proactive and ethical approach to recruitment. By acting as a neutral partner, Datum RPO helps businesses build transparent hiring processes, strengthen compliance with modern slavery legislation, and reduce reliance on high-risk labour channels. Datum RPO’s expertise in supplier auditing, workforce visibility and ethical recruitment ensures that organisations can identify vulnerabilities early and take action before exploitation occurs. In a landscape where AI and digital tools are reshaping both recruitment and risk, Datum RPO supports employers in using technology responsibly, protecting both their workforce and their reputation.
1. What is modern slavery in a temporary and contingent recruitment context?
It refers to the exploitation of workers in agency, temporary or flexible roles, often through withheld wages, illegal fees or misleading job terms. Complex supply chains can make these abuses harder to detect.
2. How can businesses reduce the risk of modern slavery in their supply chains?
Businesses can reduce risk by conducting regular supplier audits, ensuring transparency in recruitment practices, working only with compliant labour providers, and implementing clear ethical hiring policies. Partnering with specialist providers can also strengthen oversight.
3. Why is AI increasing the risk of exploitation?
AI enables traffickers to scale their operations by targeting vulnerable individuals online, automating communication and managing exploitation more efficiently. Without proper safeguards, digital tools can make harmful practices harder to detect.
4. Why is Datum RPO considered a leading neutral vendor in the UK?
Datum RPO is recognised as a leading neutral vendor because it operates independently of labour suppliers, allowing it to prioritise compliance, transparency and ethical standards over commercial bias. This neutrality ensures clients receive objective supplier management, improved governance and reduced risk across their workforce supply chain.