Modern Slavery in a New Era of Instability: What Comes Next?
As the UK marks ten years since the Modern Slavery Act was passed, the nature of modern slavery is shifting. Conflict, climate shocks, economic instability, and the rise of new trafficking networks are creating fresh challenges, and demanding an urgent policy response.
To explore how the UK should respond, the Coalition for Global Prosperity brought together frontline experts, policy thinkers, and international development practitioners to launch our latest report: Modern Slavery: A Global Crisis with Local Consequences.
Our panellists, from across faith, business and politics, delivered a powerful and wide-ranging discussion on what needs to change, and where the UK can lead.
Compassion, not bureaucracy
Father Mark Odion opened with a stark reminder: the current support period for victims of modern slavery is far from enough. Many survivors face trauma, instability, and uncertainty - yet are expected to rebuild their lives in less than two months.
Father Mark called for a more compassionate, human-centred approach, where law enforcement is better trained, cases are treated individually, and support doesn’t end when the paperwork does.
Prevention starts with education
Madeline Fitton, working at the intersection of policy and child protection, made a compelling case for education as a frontline defence.
Citing research that shows 23% of British children entering care are unaware of modern slavery risks, she argued that schools, carers and institutions need to do more to equip young people with the tools to recognise and report exploitation—especially in vulnerable settings.
A decade of stagnation
Dame Sara Thornton, former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, set out three urgent priorities for UK policymakers:
Protect victims
Prosecute offences
Prevent trafficking before it happens
Despite the political attention modern slavery has received, she warned that prosecution numbers have remained largely unchanged over the past decade. To break that cycle, we need to invest in specialist law enforcement and move beyond rhetoric towards delivery.
Survivor-led solutions
Naomi James-Davis brought a global perspective, sharing the success of the Modern Slavery Innovation Fund. Over two years the MSIF funded a survivor-led programme in Bangladesh to support 205 women, and led to the prosecution of 58 traffickers, demonstrating that smart, targeted aid can transform lives, prevent re-exploitation, and deliver justice. Despite the impact of such programmes, cuts to development budgets across the globe mean programmes are putting these gains at risk.
As instability grows worldwide, such programmes will become more - not less -important.
A moment to reflect, and act
The discussion was a timely reminder that while the forms of exploitation may be changing, the values that underpin the UK’s response should remain constant: compassion, justice, and dignity. Many of the solutions are already within reach; from a solid legislative framework to effective development programmes and survivor-centred care. What’s needed now is the political will to match these tools with the necessary resources and sustained commitment.
From survivor-led support abroad to education and enforcement at home, the UK has the tools, knowledge and moral imperative to lead the global fight against modern slavery, if we choose to act.
Explore our latest report: Modern Slavery: A Global Crisis with Local Consequences
