UK Modern Slavery Referrals Surge to Record 23,411 as AI Threat Looms

TL;DR: Referrals for potential modern‑slavery victims hit a historic 23,411 in 2025, almost double the 2021 figure, and experts warn AI‑driven exploitation could soon multiply the threat.

The independent anti‑slavery commissioner released a futures‑based analysis on Tuesday, highlighting a steep rise in referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The NRM screens reports of suspected slavery and coordinates victim support. In five years, referrals climbed from 12,691 to 23,411, the highest level ever recorded.

Eleanor Lyons, the commissioner, warned that slavery and severe exploitation are spreading faster than authorities can respond. She linked the surge to worsening global conditions—poverty, conflict, displacement and the collapse of safe migration routes—that create a pipeline of vulnerable people for traffickers.

Lyons cautioned that without decisive action, criminal networks will harness artificial intelligence to scale and professionalise exploitation. She highlighted three emerging risks: AI‑enabled recruitment and control of victims, digital‑labour scams that trap people in “scam compounds” for fraud, and the embedding of cryptocurrencies in trafficking payment structures.

The report also flagged growth in gig‑economy platforms, coercive labour in agriculture, construction and mining, and a rise in reproductive slavery such as forced egg harvesting and surrogacy. Lyons called on ministers to boost funding for specialist police units, increase prosecutions of businesses that exploit workers, launch a national public‑awareness campaign, and improve victim care services.

A parallel evaluation by the Council of Europe’s GRETA group praised recent UK steps—such as not criminalising victims for offences committed under duress—but urged further alignment with international anti‑trafficking conventions. GRETA stressed the need for more resources, better inter‑agency coordination and stronger financial investigations to curb labour‑exploitation trafficking.

The Home Office responded that modern slavery remains a global scourge and affirmed a review of the UK system to close loopholes while protecting survivors. Officials said they are working with survivors to refine policies and reduce case backlogs, aiming for faster decisions and support.

What it means: The record NRM referrals signal a deepening crisis that could accelerate with AI tools, digital fraud schemes and crypto financing. Immediate investment in law‑enforcement capacity, public education and victim services will be critical to prevent a technologically amplified wave of exploitation. Watch for upcoming government funding announcements and any regulatory moves targeting AI‑enabled trafficking.