Human traffickers could be given maximum life prison sentences under new laws to end modern-day slavery.
Home Secretary Theresa May said it was time to get "tougher on the slave drivers" who force thousands of people into a life of servitude in the UK.
Mrs May told Sky News the Government still did not know how many slaves there were in the UK but said estimates put the number at more than 10,000.
The Modern Slavery Bill – the first of its kind in Europe – contains provisions to give automatic life sentences to offenders who already have convictions for very serious sexual or violent offences.
It also introduces Trafficking Prevention Orders to restrict the activity and movement of convicted traffickers and stop them from committing further offences.
The bills comes after three women were found living as slaves in Lambeth A new anti-slavery commissioner will be appointed to hold law enforcement and other organisations to account.
Mrs May said: "Most people think slavery finished years and years ago but sadly so many people in our country are slaves."
She added: "What this government wants to do is to be able to eradicate modern slavery.
"It is an absolutely appalling and horrendous crime that is being perpetrated by people here in the UK so what the bill does is enable us to get tougher."
The new bill comes after it emerged that three women, aged between 30 and 69, had been living as slaves in a house in Lambeth, south London – one for more than 30 years.
They were finally freed after one of the women contacted Aneeta Prem, from the anti-slavery campaign group Freedom Charity.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Prem welcomed the new laws and said: "The power of the laws the Home Secretary is announcing today will only help the situation because people will know in the UK this will not be tolerated and if they are caught they are going to face up to life in prison."
Aneeta Prem, of Freedom Charity, said the new laws would help The founder of human trafficking charity Hope for Justice, Ben Cooley, welcomed the move.
He said: "We've learnt from experience that victim welfare is inextricably linked to the prosecution of perpetrators.
"When victims are supported from rescue right through to the courtroom, their testimonies make all the difference in seeing justice served.
"Sadly, we don't always see that happen in the UK and Hope for Justice exists to stand in those gaps.
"This bill is a critical step towards ending slavery in our country but going forwards we must all ensure that victims are supported so they don't disappear on the other side of initial after-care provision just to be re-trafficked."
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the legislation should do more to provide protection for child victims of trafficking.
Two-thirds of children found by authorities after being held as slaves go missing again because the system to protect them is not strong enough, Ms Cooper added.
She said: "Failed once by those who betrayed them into slavery, they are failed again by the state in not protecting them.
"Trafficked children should have access to a trusted and independent advocate, or guardian, who is legally responsible for them and their interests.
"There is a growing coalition of support behind this new policy, from the charities and frontline practitioners to campaigners in Parliament.
"We need tough action to stop traffickers, but prosecutions will fail, justice will be denied and slavery will continue unless there is more support for victims too."
:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.
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