A new report has issued a stark warning that the exploitation of UK nationals is on the rise, driven by e scalating living costs , mounting debt , and precarious employment. Criminals are also leveraging technological advancements to more easily recruit and control victims. Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) Eleanor Lyons stated that the issue of modern slavery is now "greater than ever" in its scale. This encompasses various forms, including people trafficking , forced labour, criminal exploitation, and sexual exploitation. Victims seeking support and official recognition of their plight in the UK must undergo assessment via the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The latest data, published earlier this year, showed the number of potential victims of modern slavery referred to the Home Office hit a new record high in 2025, having risen by more than a fifth in a year.…