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 worldwide. This matters because modern slavery costs the UK economy between £3.3 and £4.3 billion each year, yet current laws and enforcement struggle to find and help victims or disrupt the criminal networks behind it. The UK’s Modern Slavery Act is considered world-leading, but a gap remains between legislation and effective action. A new Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) will fill that gap by providing independent, impartial analysis directly useful to government, Parliament, businesses, NGOs, and international organisations. If the PEC succeeds, it could transform how the UK tackles modern slavery. Instead of relying on scattered data and anecdotal evidence, policymakers would have authoritative insight to design smarter laws, target enforcement resources where they have the most impact, and help businesses clean up supply chains. The centre will respond to strategic challenges, stimulate innovative solutions, and advance practical understanding of a crime that quietly operates in factories, car washes, farms, and private homes across the country.