A tribunal ruled in December that the exemption is discriminatory against women, who are far more likely to be employed as live-in domestic workers than men.

The Low Pay Commission (LPC), which advises the government about the minimum wage, has now been asked to review the issue and will report back to Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, The Guardian reports.

Solicitor Jamila Duncan-Bosu from the Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit charity, which brought the tribunal case, said: “This is a loophole that has been a conduit to slavery. Traffickers have used it to bring in women to households who suffer all kinds of abuses.

“I welcome the fact that the government has asked the Low Pay Commission to look at the issue, but it is disappointing they have waited so long.”