File on 4 Investigates

Street Slaves


Listen Later

The Government has introduced a draft Modern Slavery Bill which is aimed at making it simpler to prosecute human traffickers and which will bring in life sentences for such offences.

But who are the victims of modern day slavery in the UK and how organised are the gangs who prey upon them?

While much concern has focused on people trafficked into the country, Jane Deith reveals how the most vulnerable in society such as the homeless and people with learning difficulties are being targeted by gangs who pick them off the streets with the offer of money and accommodation. But many say they end up working long hours for little or no pay and are too frightened to leave. Some - including people from the UK - are taken abroad to countries such as Sweden and Norway to pave driveways and other labouring jobs. Others are working in the construction industry here but being paid much less than the minimum wage.

Police say the traffickers and those who exploit the homeless and vulnerable are highly organised and often use their victims' identities to open bank accounts and commit further crimes such as benefit fraud, netting thousands of pounds and leaving their victims with huge debts.

So who's monitoring the marginalised? Will the new Bill do enough to deal with the dark side of Britain's labour market?

Reporter: Jane Deith

Producer: Paul Grant.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

File on 4 InvestigatesBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3

4.3

32 ratings


More shows like File on 4 Investigates

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,913 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

376 Listeners

More or Less by BBC Radio 4

More or Less

863 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,067 Listeners

Money Box by BBC Radio 4

Money Box

40 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,576 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,808 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,729 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,018 Listeners

Profile by BBC Radio 4

Profile

113 Listeners

F1: Chequered Flag by BBC Radio 5 Live

F1: Chequered Flag

790 Listeners

Crossing Continents by BBC Radio 4

Crossing Continents

75 Listeners

Moral Maze by BBC Radio 4

Moral Maze

73 Listeners

The Briefing Room by BBC Radio 4

The Briefing Room

75 Listeners

Newscast by BBC News

Newscast

745 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,245 Listeners

The Slow Newscast by The Observer

The Slow Newscast

170 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

779 Listeners

The Story by The Times

The Story

257 Listeners

Cyber Hack by BBC World Service

Cyber Hack

1,600 Listeners

Radical with Amol Rajan by BBC Radio 4

Radical with Amol Rajan

48 Listeners

The History Podcast by BBC Radio 4

The History Podcast

54 Listeners

Shadow World by BBC Radio 4

Shadow World

34 Listeners

Top Comment by BBC

Top Comment

51 Listeners

The Crime Agents by Global

The Crime Agents

43 Listeners