Reports of modern slavery across the UK have climbed to their highest level on record, with new figures revealing a sharp rise in cases during 2025. Data from the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline shows that nearly 3,000 cases were recorded over the year – an increase of 41% compared with 2024.
The number of potential victims also rose significantly, with more than 6,600 individuals reported – up 37% year on year. The figures point to a broad escalation across all forms of exploitation, with labour exploitation emerging as the most prevalent category.
Labour exploitation surges, linked to visa system
Labour exploitation cases rose by 65% in 2025, reaching their highest level to date. Where exploitation type was known, such cases made up over half of all modern slavery cases and accounted for around 70% of potential victims.
Data from the Helpline highlights a growing connection between labour exploitation and the UK’s skilled worker visa route. While the system enables employers to recruit internationally, concerns are mounting that its structure may leave some migrant workers exposed to abuse.
In particular, the requirement for workers to remain tied to a single employer has been identified as a risk factor. In some instances, this dependency has reportedly been used to control wages, restrict movement, and impose poor working conditions. There is also evidence of illegal recruitment fees being charged, pushing workers into debt and increasing their vulnerability.
“Behind every statistic is a person – someone navigating fear, uncertainty and, too often, complex barriers to safety,” said Justine Carter, Deputy CEO at Unseen.
“These figures are a warning sign that exploitation in the UK is accelerating and becoming more entrenched. The rising exploitation of migrants on skilled worker visas highlights serious gaps in worker protections, enforcement and oversight. This is not isolated – it points to systemic failure.
“While the UK has rightly criticised exploitative labour systems overseas, we must also be willing to look closely at our own. The evidence from our Helpline shows that elements of the skilled worker visa system – particularly the requirement for workers to remain tied to a single employer – can create conditions where exploitation can flourish.
“We urgently need stronger safeguards for migrant workers, tighter oversight of recruitment, and decisive action against employers abusing the visa system.”
Key sectors see steep increases
The rise in cases is particularly evident in industries vital to the UK economy and public services, many of which rely heavily on migrant labour.
The care sector reported the highest number of cases for the third consecutive year, with 170 recorded in 2025 – a 59% increase. Hospitality saw one of the sharpest rises, with cases up by 85% to 163.
Meanwhile, construction recorded the largest number of potential victims overall, with 710 individuals reported across 150 cases.
Majority of exploitation happening within the UK
The data also underscores that modern slavery is largely a domestic issue. Of the cases where location was known, 81% involved exploitation occurring within the UK itself – amounting to 2,173 cases, a 37% rise on the previous year.
There was also a notable increase in UK nationals reported as potential victims, with numbers more than doubling from 58 in 2024 to 125 in 2025.
Rising concern over children and severe exploitation
Children are increasingly affected. The number of child victims rose to 435 in 2025, up 34% on the previous year.
Other forms of exploitation also continued to rise, including sexual exploitation cases (up 8%), criminal exploitation cases (up 11%) and domestic servitude cases (up 15%). The Helpline recorded four cases involving organ harvesting with eight potential victims in 2025, two of which took place in the UK.
Indian nationals were the most frequently reported nationality for the third year running, with 310 potential victims – a 42% increase. Many had entered the UK via skilled worker visas. This figure exceeded the combined total of the next two most commonly recorded nationalities, Vietnamese and British.
In total, the Helpline handled more than 11,200 contacts in 2025, including calls, web forms and app submissions from people seeking help or advice.
Unseen's 2025 Annual Assessment webinar launch
Watch the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline’s Annual Assessment webinar live streamed from Unseen’s Human First Summit:
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