Mind the Gap(s)? Evidence and UK Policymaking on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

ABSTRACT

This article examines four critical gaps in the evidence-policy relationship on human trafficking and modern slavery (HTMS) in the UK: prioritization, epistemology, synchronization and trust. Drawing on multiple sources, the authors outline key features of the landscape around evidence and policy in the UK, identify ways to address gaps and bring together researchers, those directly affected, and policymakers. The findings point to a growing consensus on improving research on HTMS, but a continuing need for work to provide appropriate conditions for a productive evidence-policy system. The conclusions reflect opportunities and challenges in the light of recent political moves in the UK that undermine linkages between evidence and policy.

KEYWORDS:

• Modern slavery
• human trafficking
• evidence
• policy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

¹ Written Evidence by the Labour Exploitation Advisory Group (ASU0044) https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/114295/pdf/

² March 15, 2023: “311 migration experts sign a letter to The Times” https://channelcrossings.org/2023/03/15/311-migration-experts-sign-a-letter-to-the-times/

³ https://www.gcomsoft.com/insights/why-a-lack-of-reliable-data-hinders-human-trafficking-prevention-programs-and-what-state-governments-can-do-about-it/

⁴ https://news.stanford.edu/press-releases/2018/09/05/get-good-data-human-trafficking/

⁵ https://cpr.unu.edu/research/projects/delta-8–7.html#outline

⁶ 5-year program implemented by Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), funded by the Program to End Modern Slavery (PEMS), U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office).

⁷ A global community of practice Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning professionals and researchers on anti-human trafficking.

⁸ https://www.antislaverycommissioner.co.uk/news-insights/iasc-launch-research-priorities-briefing-paper/

⁹ Total impact case studies submitted: 2014 = 6,637, 2021 = 6,361.

¹⁰ At the time of writing, the Modern Slavery PEC had funded teams comprising 89 academic team members from over 35 universities and academic institutions, 26 individuals from 17 NGOs, four private sector organizations several other governmental and international organizations, and independent parties.

¹¹ Adopted in 2005, came into force 2008.

¹² EU Directive 2011/36/EU “on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims.”

¹³ This position has been vacant since April 2022.

¹⁴ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021

¹⁵ A call for academics to present research findings in 2018 noted that HOA&I employs “more than 350 analysts” https://wrdtp.ac.uk/exciting-opportunity-at-the-home-office/

¹⁶ Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2015/12/contents/enacted

Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy for Scotland 2017

https://www.gov.scot/policies/human-trafficking/trafficking-and-exploitation-strategy/

¹⁷ https://modernslaverypec.org/resources/strategy.