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There are 50 million people in modern slavery – the City ‘can and should do more’

Modern slavery is 'not just an issue in far flung places; it’s an issue in the UK', says former anti-slavery commissioner Sara Thornton

City firms urged to get behind initiative to tackle exploitation in supply chains
City firms urged to get behind initiative to tackle exploitation in supply chains Photo: Mathew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The City must step up to tackle modern slavery, according to leading campaigners, amid warnings that the UK government is failing to prevent a human rights catastrophe.

There were 50 million people globally in modern slavery in 2021, according to International Labour Organization estimates published in September. Of those, around 28 million were in forced labour, up from 25 million in 2016, the last time figures were released.

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