FLEX is proud to have contributed to “Decade of Dignity: A Strategic Vision for Eradicating Modern Slavery in the UK”, alongside a consortium of leading anti-slavery organisations.

For too long, the UK has been a ‘low risk, high reward’ environment for exploiters.
Gaps in legislation, fragmented policing, and a ‘postcode lottery’ of survivor support
have allowed criminal networks to treat human beings as disposable commodities.

Despite this, the government lacks a strategy on modern slavery. This consortium has stepped in to fill that gap, and to make the political point that a lack of focus will ultimately undermine all actors and society.

As FLEX, we want to particularly emphasise the prevention and support asks of this report. There is need for a longer term, strategic approach that must centre a holistic prevention approach, with a greater priority on tackling the root causes, vulnerabilities and drivers of modern slavery and human trafficking.

This includes protection of all workers regardless of immigration status, including and especially those on short-term restrictive visas. We join calls for the repeal of harmful legislation, and guaranteed access to safe accommodation, legal advice, compensation and a pathway to settlement.