“Major report calls for sweeping overhaul of UK’s modern slavery response”, 29 April 2026

The report, ‘Decade of dignity, a strategic vision for eradicating modern slavery in the UK’, published in April 2026, argues that despite the landmark Modern Slavery Act of 2015, the government’s response has deteriorated. 

Weak enforcement, fragmented policing, ineffective business regulation, and immigration policies that obstruct support for victims have together allowed criminal networks to flourish while leaving survivors without adequate help…

The report outlines four key priorities for reform: 

• Stronger corporate accountability: introduce a new law within two years to replace Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act with legally binding duties on businesses, including mandatory human rights due diligence…
• A tougher criminal justice response...
• A survivor-centred system...
• A national strategy for child exploitation…

The report emphasises that people with lived experience must play a central role in shaping policy, moving beyond consultation to meaningful co-production…

It will also strengthen trust in authorities, encouraging more survivors to come forward and engage with services and the criminal justice system…