... this report seeks to suggest solutions to labour exploitation in the UK through an approach based on the ‘continuum of exploitation’ (Steinfeld, R., 2009; Skrivankova, K., 2010). That is, that labour exploitation should be recognised as part of a continuum of experiences which range from decent work through to minor and major labour law violations, all the way to severe exploitation, including human trafficking. In applying this understanding, this report examines the current UK anti-trafficking approach and its shortcomings, for instance, its largely reactive nature focusing only on exploitation which reaches the trafficking threshold, the inaccurate framing of trafficking as an immigration issue (Duggan, E., 2022b; Home Office, 2023; Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), 2022), and the lack of protections that it provides to migrant workers, including victims and survivors of trafficking.

Utilising the continuum of exploitation framework, we are able to see how areas such as employment rights and immigration policy are central considerations when understanding labour exploitation. In the context of recent regressive legislation such as the Illegal Migration Act 2023, this report outlines the need for a proactive and preventative approach to labour exploitation that addresses the drivers of risk and builds in resilience to labour exploitation. It draws on the reflections of migrant workers themselves, as well as wider literature, to outline the causal drivers of vulnerability to trafficking. The report puts forward recommendations to mitigate against the risks of exploitation, and prevent it from occurring in the first instance, as well as recommendations to ensure that where it does occur workers have better practical options than just ‘carrying on’....