Stop Trafficking Worldwide is proud to announce an exciting step forward in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery: a growing collaboration with the UK Home Office.

This collaboration has already seen Home Office officials speaking on panels and engaging in one-to-one meetings to explore how to work together more effectively.

Out of the Home Office’s 27 agencies, the collaboration will focus primarily on the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). Together, there is a shared goal to tackle labour exploitation through awareness, education, and practical solutions.

A key initiative within this partnership involves integrating Stop Trafficking Worldwide’s educational booklets, All About Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery, into Home Office training sessions. These materials are already in use at Citizens Advice Bureaus and with the Metropolitan Police, and now will play an expanded role in equipping frontline staff and organisations to recognise and respond effectively to signs of trafficking and exploitation.

One pressing issue addressed by this collaboration is the situation of approximately 40,000 displaced people in the UK holding visas to work in adult social care but lacking proper sponsorship. The UK faces a significant shortage of nurses and care workers, and these gaps could be addressed if visa sponsorships were properly managed. Since March 2023, adult social care was added to skilled visa sponsorship, but there are reports of insufficient due diligence in sponsorship approvals, primarily affecting individuals from Nigeria, Ghana, India, and Bangladesh. The GLAA has compiled a full list of those affected.

Through this partnership, there is a strong push for safeguarding victims and ensuring a clear distinction between victims and criminals in all Home Office procedures. By combining Stop Trafficking Worldwide’s expertise with the Home Office’s regulatory power, the aim is to make a real difference for vulnerable individuals and to address exploitation properly.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in the UK’s ongoing fight against modern slavery, with Stop Trafficking Worldwide committed to its role as a trusted partner in awareness, education, and advocacy.