Forced labour is a serious crime that currently affects thousands of people across the UK – and the number of cases is growing.
JRF has supported research into the nature, scale and scope of forced labour in the UK since 2010.
As the UK Government, Northern Ireland Assembly and Scottish Parliament consider new legislation to tackle the issue, this round-up draws together JRF's programme of research, highlighting the most significant findings and key recommendations.
Key points
- The growth of forced labour has coincided with changes in the nature of the UK’s labour market. Increasing casualisation of jobs and longer supply chains within big companies have led to greater potential for workers to be exploited. The government’s light-touch approach to workforce regulation, weak enforcement of labour standards and immigration policies that exclude people from formal employment also make workers more vulnerable.