UK Government’s first 100 days: positive first steps and a welcome change of tone

Unseen CEO, Andrew Wallis, reflects on the government's first 100 days following our 'Putting victims first' manifesto.

In the lead-up to the general election in July 2024, a coalition of 13 charities dedicated to delivering direct survivor support, including Unseen, came together to deliver a clarion call for action against modern slavery.  

Our ‘Putting victims first’ manifesto laid out five essential priorities that the incoming government should adopt within its first 100 days to effectively support survivors of this heinous crime: 

  1. Prioritise safeguarding. 
  2. Protect those who need it most. 
  3. Ensure fair and faster decisions. 
  4. Provide trauma-informed support. 
  5. Foster collaboration and accountability.

Reflecting on the government’s actions in the 100 days since the election, I see both positive steps forward and  areas that still require significant attention. 

A new approach to safeguarding

The appointment of Jess Phillips MP as Minister for Safeguarding, with specific responsibilities for modern slavery, is a welcome development. This shift represents a crucial recognition that responsibility for modern slavery and human trafficking should not rest with the Minister for Immigration. Instead, it must lie with a dedicated minister focused on safeguarding survivors.  

Modern slavery is not an immigration or asylum issue; it is a grave crime with real victims and perpetrators. How we treat these victims matters profoundly. 

Breaking the cycle of fear

The previous administration deliberately conflated the issues of immigration control and modern slavery, creating an environment of fear and mistrust among survivors. Many felt they had nowhere to turn, threatened by the possibility of deportation and denial of support. That’s why we applaud the decision to scrap the Rwanda plan and the commitment to uphold the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.  

Looking ahead, we urge the UK government to dismantle ill-targeted modern slavery measures within recent legislation that hinder victims’ access to vital support—particularly those specific provisions in the 2023 Illegal Migration Act and the 2022 Nationality and Borders Act that have exacerbated trauma for survivors awaiting assistance.

By addressing these issues, the UK has a chance to restore some of its credibility as a leading nation in the fight against modern slavery. 

Addressing delays in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM)

The NRM serves as the government’s system for identifying and supporting survivors of modern slavery. However, one of the most pressing challenges survivors face is the painfully lengthy process for their claims to be processed.  

This stagnation takes a severe toll on the mental health of survivors, a reality my frontline colleagues grapple with daily. While we welcome the government’s commitment to addressing the existing backlog, we must view the NRM not just as a process for identification and decision-making, but as a long-term commitment to guide victims towards resilience, safety, hope, and agency over their futures.  

After nearly two decades of advocacy, it is encouraging to see signs that our calls for reform are beginning to resonate. How we treat people in vulnerable positions reflects the kind of society we aspire to be. 

The importance of trauma-informed care

My colleagues who work directly with survivors are not only dedicated but also deeply knowledgeable about the profound trauma inflicted by severe exploitation. We are heartened by the minister of safeguarding’s previous experience developing services for those who have suffered trauma and the positive shift in tone accompanying her early statements.  

This recognition of the crucial role that frontline caseworkers play, and the understanding that trauma-informed care is essential for successful recovery, marks a significant step forward. Yet, much remains to be done. When survivors are treated with dignity and respect, it not only aids their recovery but also empowers them to support the prosecution of their exploiters. Prosecutions remain woefully low so we welcome the government’s desire to see an increase in prosecutions of those who commit some of the most egregious crimes.

Building collaborative solutions

Finally, we have long called for greater collaboration between the government and the anti-slavery sector, recognising the wealth of experience, wisdom, innovation and solution-focused approaches that organisations like ours bring to the table. Although it is early days, there is a noticeable willingness among officials to engage meaningfully. This is encouraging, as it will take a whole-of-society response to successfully tackle and ultimately end modern slavery.  

We do recognise that in these challenging economic times, tough decisions and priorities must be made, but we remain hopeful that increased collaboration will lead to a more effective response from the UK for those impacted by modern slavery. 

join us in the fight against modern slavery

As we continue to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of survivors, we invite you to be a part of our mission. Together, we can create a society that prioritises dignity, respect, and support for those affected by modern slavery. 

Get involved today and help us make a difference. 

Related stories

Justine Currell

As I came to understand more about the issue, including through a visit to an Unseen safehouse, I knew I needed to do more to stop this abuse and exploitation.

For the last five years of my Civil Service career, I was the Modern Slavery Senior Policy Advisor in the Home Office and led on development of the Modern Slavery Act, including the transparency in supply chains provision and business guidance.

I joined Unseen to lead the development of the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, and Unseen’s work with businesses. I am regularly called upon to present at national and international conferences and use my experience of working with Ministers to influence other governments internationally to take action to address modern slavery and, in particular, business supply chain issues.

In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, music, reading and travelling.

Andrew Wallis

What ultimately compelled me to act was a report on how people from Eastern Europe were being trafficked through Bristol airport to the USA. Kate Garbers, who went on to be an Unseen Director, and I wrote to all the city councillors, MPs and the Police Chief Constable challenging them on the issue. The challenge came back to us: this city needs safe housing for trafficked women. And so Unseen began.

But we never wanted Unseen to be just about safe housing. We wanted to end slavery once and for all, and that remains our driving focus.

I chaired the working group for the Centre for Social Justice’s landmark report “It Happens Here: Equipping the United Kingdom to Fight Modern Slavery”. This is now acknowledged as the catalyst behind the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015. It was a great honour to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that year. On the other hand, I’ve also been described as “the loveliest disrupter you could ever hope to meet”.

This job has taken me from building flat-pack furniture for safehouses, to working with businesses to address slavery in supply chains, to delivering training, raising awareness and advising governments around the world.

When not at work, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my dog Harley, cooking, supporting Liverpool and Yorkshire CC, music (I’m a former DJ) and endurance events such as the Three Peaks Challenge and Tribe Freedom Runs – which I vow never to do again. Until the next time.