Sadly, children being sold into slavery is not news. British families buying such children is news. Frankly, I find it very, very hard to believe. From The Guardian: "Theresa May urges police investigation after the Sun reports that Nepalese and Indian children are being sold to British families as domestic slaves" Sky News has more details.
It does not surprise me that the wealthy elite in the UK are returning to employing slaves, we shall soon have to "doff our cap" to passing dignitary's.
I doubt that the old, aristocratic elite would illegally employ child slaves. at least because it's constantly in the public eye, if not for some high moral standards. My first reaction too.
How much do they cost? Are they pre-trained or would I have to teach them to do things like mow the lawn and do laundry?
I lived in SE Asia for eight years. Household staff are paid very well compared to other workers, especially by westerners. There was a bit of a brain drain a few years ago. People who trained as teachers, nurses even doctors found working as household staff like housekeepers, gardeners, security guards, drivers etc was more lucrative than their trained profession.
It obviously is not something which would be acceptable in Britain. People would need to hide their servants when visitors came round. I can't see our SE Asians doing this. Maybe a few of our London Saudi Millionaires might but even there I would think it unlikely as they would know it would be totally unacceptable here. The Sun newspaper is not exactly one I would put as much credit on for speaking the truth as Ms May apparently does - but of course she has to check up on something like this.