Modern slavery in Britain is a “lucrative business” which is showing no signs of abating, according to the founder of a charity which supports adults who have been trafficked and find themselves enslaved.
Yvonne Hall, the founder and managing director of Palm Cove Society, believes all places of work should have a modern slavery policy to help stamp out the practice.
Her remarks follow a recent report by two official watchdogs which warned that Britain’s border force was missing thousands of victims and has prosecuted only two human traffickers since 2014.
There are an estimated 13,000 victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK, according to the the joint report by the chief inspector of borders, David Bolt, and the anti-slavery commissioner, Kevin Hyland.
In 2015, more than 3,200 potential victims were referred to the authorities through a system set up by the government to identify and support victims of trafficking.
Kevin Hyland co-authored the reportSome 94 per cent of those came from abroad, the investigation published on Thursday (February 2) showed.
However, less than one per cent of these potential victims were identified by border officials, the report said.
Hall told Eastern Eye that around 33 per cent of people supported by her organisation come from south Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. The majority are women brought to the UK as new brides and exploited by their in-laws.
“Bringing victims over to be married off is a lucrative business, so I think it will continue and it is increasing. It’s a huge problem,” she said.
“They [victims] have no recourse to public funds and are beholden to the people who bring them in. They are brought in as domestic slaves and put to work by families,” Hall explained.
“We have also have men who have been married to British women, brought over and made to work in the family’s factory.
“When they are brought into the UK, they believe they are coming to a good job and a good family. They are told a web of lies, and are deceived.”
Hall rescued and supported three women who were enslaved by Aravindan Balakrishnan in his Maoist cult in south London for decades. She recently featured in a documentary about the high-profile case, and her organisation works in partnership with police services and the Home Office.
She said some of the women who are referred to the charity are victims of domestic abuse in the family home and are treated “absolutely horrendously”.
“When we sit down and talk to them, they have been trafficked into the UK for the purpose of labour exploitation, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, all those things under the guise of marriage. So this is another form of domestic slavery.”
When asked if it was an issue that the government recognised, Hall said it was another aspect of domestic slavery that she was working to highlight.
Victims are often abused for months and trapped because if they leave the marriage, not only will their husbands and in-laws turn against them, but the community will too, Hall said.
“It has a real impact on the whole emotional, physical and psychological well-being and those are the things that we have to try and rebuild. If they escape, their confidence takes a huge emotional knock, family members in south Asia and the UK reject them and turn against them because they have walked away from the marriage. It’s very difficult.
“We have people who are very isolated, very vulnerable in a new country, with children or perhaps pregnant, who are very much alone. Sometimes their passports are confiscated, so we have to try and regularise their immigration status,” she explained.
Meanwhile, homeless charity group The Passage said last month that they were hearing of rogue employers exploiting the rising number of rough sleepers on Britain’s streets and luring them into a life of modern slavery in the building and farming sectors, and even illegal boxing.
Of the 61 homeless organisations surveyed by the charity, 64 per cent had come across cases of modern slavery.
Case workers cited vulnerable homeless people who were recruited off the street to work in building sites, on farms and to take part in illegal boxing matches for little or no pay.
The Modern Slavery Act became law in March 2015 and increased jail terms for traffickers. It brought in measures to protect people feared at risk of being enslaved.
In January, two Polish brothers were jailed for stealing wages of around 18 other Poles they tricked with promises of work in the UK.
Hall believes the next step would be for all organisations to have a modern slavery policy to tackle the issue.
In an initiative launched in December, hotels across Britain pledged to fight modern slavery, by encouraging staff and guests to help spot signs of trafficking in hotel foyers and corridors.
In America recently, a flight attendant rescued a victim of trafficking after she spotted a girl looking dishevelled on a plane accompanied by a well-dressed man.
When she tried to speak to the two passengers, the man reportedly became defensive and the girl wouldn’t engage in conversation. The crew member subsequently left a note for the teenager in the plane’s toilet, which she later responded to with the message: “I need help.” The man was arrested when the flight landed in San Francisco.
When it comes to spotting signs of slavery, Hall admitted it could sometimes be very difficult to detect and believed more training was needed for border staff.
She said clues included women travelling with a group of men who were much older, and people who clearly looked like they were in distress.
“Our team has worked with the police at local airports and they are very good at spotting anomalies,” Hall said.
The detailed report by Bolt and Hyland said considerable efforts had been made to train staff in tackling trafficking, but some officers told inspectors they had completed the mandatory training as a box-checking exercise and saw their priority as moving queues at the borders quickly.
It acknowledged frontline officers faced a difficult task, but said the force had to make urgent changes to meet its responsibility to lead anti-slavery efforts at the border.
A spokesman from the Home Office said it was already taking action to address key issues raised in the report.
“The Border Force has a key role to play in identifying and protecting victims and stopping the callous criminals who exploit them. This work takes place not only at the UK border but in targeted operations at sea and working with law enforcement agencies at home and around the world. But we are determined to do more and continue to improve our response.”
INDIAN and US negotiators reported progress after four days of closed-door meetings in New Delhi on Tuesday, focusing on market access for industrial and some agricultural goods, tariff cuts and non-tariff barriers, according to Indian government sources.
"The negotiations held with the US side were productive and helped in making progress towards crafting a mutually beneficial and balanced agreement including through achievement of early wins," one of the sources said to Reuters.
The US delegation, led by senior officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative, met Indian trade ministry officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal.
Both sides also considered ways to expand bilateral digital trade through improved customs and trade-facilitation measures, the sources added, noting that “negotiations will continue” with an eye on a quick conclusion of the initial tranche.
Interim pact expected soon
president Donald Trump and prime minister Narendra Modi agreed in February to finalise a bilateral trade agreement by autumn 2025 and to more than double two-way trade to $500 billion by 2030. Officials now expect to seal an interim deal by the end of this month, before Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs expires, including a possible 26 per cent levy on Indian goods.
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal, who is in Switzerland for talks with European counterparts, said India is ready to settle “simpler issues” first. Subsequent rounds could handle more complex matters, with the goal of signing the first tranche by September or October, the officials said.
India turned down US requests for wider access to wheat, dairy and corn while offering lower tariffs on US almonds, pistachios and walnuts. New Delhi also asked Washington to remove its 10 per cent baseline tariff, a step the US side opposed, pointing out that Britain accepted the same duty in its recent deal. India further sought relief from a 50 per cent duty on steel exports.
A 26 per cent tariff on Indian rice, shrimp, textiles and footwear—about one-fifth of India’s merchandise exports—could dent shipments and weigh on foreign investment, the sources warned. India has pledged to increase purchases of American liquefied natural gas, crude oil, coal and defence equipment.
India’s exports to the US climbed 28 per cent to $37.7 billion in the first four months of 2025, while imports rose to $14.4 billion, widening India’s surplus, US data showed.
US voices backing on terrorism fight
Separately, the State Department said the US “reaffirmed its strong support” for India’s fight against terrorism during last week’s visit to Washington by an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau met the group as part of New Delhi’s outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched after the 22 April Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters that a Pakistani parliamentary team headed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also met officials, including under secretary for political affairs Allison Hooker. “So that meeting occurred,” Bruce said.
Hooker reiterated US support for the current “– as you might imagine, thank God – between India and Pakistan,” Bruce added, referring to the cessation of on-ground hostilities.
Asked about possible Pakistani assurances on action against militants, Bruce declined to share details. On whether Trump might “mediate” on Kashmir, she said: “Well, I – obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war."
“So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard… But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict..,” Bruce said, adding that it is a “very interesting time.”
India has maintained that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an “integral” part of the country and has rejected any outside mediation.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Jaishankar, who is currently in Europe a month after India launched Operation Sindoor, said Pakistan was training 'thousands' of terrorists 'in the open' and 'unleashing' them on India. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA's external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said India would strike deep into Pakistan if provoked by terrorist attacks, and warned of retribution against terrorist organisations and their leaders in response to incidents like the Pahalgam attack.
Speaking to Politico on Monday, Jaishankar, who is currently in Europe a month after India launched Operation Sindoor, said Pakistan was training “thousands” of terrorists “in the open” and “unleashing” them on India.
“We are not going to live with it. So our message to them is that if you continue to do the kind of barbaric acts which they did in April, then there is going to be retribution, and that retribution will be against the terrorist organisations and the terrorist leadership,” he said.
“We don't care where they are. If they are deep in Pakistan, we will go deep into Pakistan,” he added.
Tensions between India and Pakistan rose after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. India responded with precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
The hostilities lasted four days and ended on May 10 following talks between the directors general of military operations.
Causes and consequences
Jaishankar said the root causes of the conflict remain.
“It (Pakistan) is a country very steeped in its use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. That is the whole issue,” he told Politico.
Asked if the conditions that led to last month’s war-like situation still existed, he said, “If you call the commitment to terrorism a source of tension, absolutely, it is.”
On losses, he said relevant authorities would communicate details when ready.
Jaishankar said India’s fighter aircraft and missiles inflicted greater damage on the Pakistani Air Force than the other way around, and that this forced Pakistan to seek peace.
“As far I'm concerned, how effective the Rafale was or frankly, how effective other systems were — to me the proof of the pudding are the destroyed and disabled airfields on the Pakistani side,” he said.
“The fighting stopped on the 10th for one reason and one reason only, which was that on the 10th morning, we hit these eight Pakistani, the main eight Pakistani airfields and disabled them,” he added, noting that satellite images are available on Google showing damaged runways and hangars.
Jaishankar is on a week-long visit to Europe, during which he will meet leaders in the European Union, Belgium and France to strengthen bilateral ties and reiterate India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
Keep ReadingShow less
Reeves said the government would focus investment on security, health, and the economy 'so working people all over our country are better off.'
THE GOVERNMENT is set to announce its medium-term spending and investment plans on Wednesday, with significant increases expected for defence and healthcare, alongside reductions in other areas.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present the spending review to parliament, outlining the government’s fiscal strategy aimed at boosting growth. This comes amid concerns about potential economic pressures from a possible return of Donald Trump to the US presidency and his proposed tariffs.
Reeves said the government would focus investment on security, health and the economy “so working people all over our country are better off.” She also said she would “invest in Britain’s renewal.”
Funding boosts are expected for the defence sector and the National Health Service (NHS), while other departments are likely to see spending cuts.
Reeves, the chancellor of the exchequer, has adjusted fiscal rules to give the government more room to invest ahead of the review. At the same time, she aims to balance the budget so that tax revenues cover day-to-day spending, with borrowing reserved for investment.
The changes have enabled the Treasury to increase borrowing, particularly for housing and energy infrastructure projects, resulting in a £113 billion windfall over five years.
'Balance the books'
Ahead of the announcement, the government pledged billions for the nuclear sector, including investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power plant.
Citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the UK previously committed to raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and 3.0 per cent by 2034, partly funded by cuts to international aid.
In addition to the expected NHS funding increase, £86 billion is planned for science and technology by 2030. Urban public transport in England will also see investment more than double, reaching over £15bn by 2030.
The government recently reversed its decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, following criticism from within the party. Late on Tuesday, it also confirmed Reeves is expected to announce £39bn in funding for affordable housing over the next decade, aimed at building 1.5 million homes.
However, the increased focus on some sectors means other departments may face budget reductions.
Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, said Reeves "will need to balance the books by making cuts to unprotected department budgets." He pointed to the Home Office, transport, local councils, police and prisons as possible areas for cuts.
Reports suggest the Treasury has faced tensions with the interior ministry over police funding and with the energy department over carbon reduction targets.
Since taking office in July, Labour has already made cuts to public spending under tight fiscal conditions. That includes reductions to disability welfare, aimed at saving more than £5bn by 2030.
Although the UK economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the first quarter, exceeding expectations, analysts have warned that such growth may not continue.
“If growth fails to emerge, then she (Reeves) will either have to cut further areas of public sector spending or raise taxes again in this year’s Autumn Budget,” said Nellis.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
A Post Office van parked outside the venue for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at Aldwych House on January 11, 2024 in London.
THE UK government said on Monday that more than £1 billion has been paid to self-employed managers of Post Office branches who were affected by faults in the Horizon accounting software.
The update comes a few weeks after Alan Bates, the former subpostmaster who led the campaign for justice, criticised the compensation process, calling it “quasi-kangaroo courts”.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it had received 11,208 claims in total. Of these, 7,569 have been settled, while 3,709 are still pending.
Between 1999 and 2015, the Post Office prosecuted over 900 subpostmasters based on errors in Horizon, a software developed by Fujitsu. The system incorrectly showed shortfalls in branch accounts.
Many subpostmasters were forced to repay the shortfalls and later went bankrupt. Some were imprisoned and faced social stigma.
At least four people took their own lives, and several others died before they were exonerated.
In 2019, the High Court ruled that computer errors, not criminal behaviour, had led to the missing funds.
Alan Bates, who was knighted by King Charles III for his efforts to expose the issue, has criticised how the DBT is handling the assessment of claims.
"The department sits in judgement of the claims and alters the goal posts as and when it chooses," he told The Sunday Times last month.
Public attention around the case grew in January 2024 following a television drama about the subpostmasters’ experiences, which sparked widespread public reaction.
Following that, Fujitsu’s European director Paul Patterson appeared before a parliamentary committee and apologised for the firm’s role in prosecutions based on incorrect data. He said the company was “truly sorry” for “this appalling miscarriage of justice”.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said the government had prioritised faster payments since taking office in July 2024.
"We are settling cases every day and getting compensation out more quickly for the most complex cases, but the job isn't done until every postmaster has received fair and just redress," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Since April 2024, British citizens and settled residents have needed to earn at least £29,000 to apply for a partner visa. (Representational image: iStock)
THE UK’s independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has said the government could lower the minimum income requirement for family visas but warned that doing so would likely increase net migration by around 1 to 3 per cent.
Since April 2024, British citizens and settled residents have needed to earn at least £29,000 to apply for a partner visa.
The MAC has proposed a new threshold of between £23,000 and £25,000, which it said would still allow families to support themselves without needing to earn above minimum wage.
It also suggested that setting the threshold between £24,000 and £28,000 could prioritise economic wellbeing over family life.
The panel opposed the previously announced plan to raise the threshold to £38,700, calling it incompatible with human rights obligations, including Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
MAC chair Prof Brian Bell said the final decision was political but urged ministers to consider the impact of financial requirements on families.
The report recommended keeping the income threshold the same across all UK regions and not raising it for families with children.
Campaigners criticised the lack of a recommendation to scrap the threshold entirely.
The Home Office said it would consider the MAC’s findings and respond in due course.