The UK Modern Slavery Act - 10 years on where are we now?

26 March 2025

VOICES Podcast

The UK Modern Slavery Act introduced in 2015 was one of the first laws in the world to specifically address slavery and trafficking in the 21st Century. 10 years on, where are we now? Has the Act been effective in eradicating modern slavery? Do new patterns of exploitation mean the law needs changing?

IHRB’s Head of Migrant Workers Programme, Neill Wilkins, hears from Eleanor Lyons, the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. They discuss the effectiveness of the legislation; the importance of corporate accountability in the fight to end modern slavery; and the need for more robust measures to ensure greater transparency in supply chains.

The Commissioner shares insights on the compliance challenges faced by businesses, the role of collective advocacy by business to help level the playing field, and the significance of new data technology to tackle emerging issues.

Revised guidance has been made available by the UK Government to help companies understand how to report in line with the Act, available here.


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Host: Deborah Sagoe, IHRB's Communications Coordinator
Producer & Editor: Helen Brown
Additional Contributors: Sam Simmons, IHRB's Head of Communications