UK Modern Slavery Referrals Hit Record 23,411 in 2025

The UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has warned of record-high levels of modern slavery, with 23,411 potential victims referred to the National Referral Mechanism in 2025, a 22 percent increase from the previous year and the highest figure ever recorded.

The report, released this week by Commissioner Eleanor Lyons, attributes the surge to economic pressures including rising living costs, debt and insecure work, alongside technological advances that enable traffickers to operate at greater scale. Referrals have nearly doubled in five years, from 12,691 in 2021, and risen more than sixfold since 2015, when the number stood at 3,263. UK nationals accounted for 22 percent of cases, or 5,110 individuals, marking a record for domestic victims. Eritreans followed at 13 percent (3,083), and Vietnamese at 9 percent (1,998).

Lyons highlighted how artificial intelligence and digital platforms act as a "force multiplier" for criminals, facilitating online grooming, AI-enabled scams, deepfakes and "popup brothels." Sexual exploitation of girls has risen 54 percent in the past five years, while tactics like "debt bonding" with virtual gifts and "remote mothering" via tracking apps...