Policy and Evidence Centre for Modern Slavery and Human Rights

An estimated 10,000 to 13,000 people are enslaved in the UK, hidden in plain sight, while 40 million are trapped globally. This Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) will produce independent, practical analysis for government, businesses, and NGOs to tackle modern slavery and human rights abuses. The problem is stark: despite the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, the crime costs the economy £3.3–£4.3 billion annually and remains poorly understood. Current policy often lacks the rigorous, impartial evidence needed to design effective interventions. The PEC will fill this gap by conducting policy-focused research, responding to strategic challenges, and stimulating innovative solutions. If successful, the centre could reshape how the UK combats modern slavery. Its insights might improve supply chain transparency, strengthen enforcement, and better protect vulnerable workers in industries like construction, agriculture, and hospitality—sectors where exploitation often hides. For the public, this means fewer goods tainted by forced labour and more effective support for survivors. The project is applied, not fundamental science: its value lies in delivering actionable evidence to decision-makers, not in advancing theoretical knowledge.