UK Modern Slavery Referrals Reach Record High, Home Office Data Shows

UK Modern Slavery Referrals Reach Record High, Home Office Data Shows
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The number of potential modern slavery victims referred to the Home Office has reached a new record, rising by more than a third in a year, The Independent reported. Between July and September 2024, 6,414 potential victims were referred under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), marking a 35% increase compared with the same period last year and a 13% rise from the previous quarter. This represents the highest number of referrals for a single quarter since the NRM’s introduction in 2009.

The NRM is the system through which victims of slavery and human trafficking are assessed to access support and formal recognition in the UK. Home Office data for the quarter showed that UK nationals accounted for 20% of referrals, Eritreans 16%, and Somalis 10%, with all three groups recording their highest quarterly figures since the NRM began. More than two-thirds (68%) of final decisions determined that the individuals referred should be recognized as victims of modern slavery.

The statistics come amid debates over potential misuse of modern slavery laws. Earlier this year, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood criticized attempts to use the legislation to halt deportations, describing some claims as undermining the system. Her comments followed a high-profile case in which an Eritrean man sought to block his removal to France under the “one in, one out” deal.

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons warned that such statements may discourage victims from coming forward, emphasizing the need to prioritize survivor protection. The Home Office noted that the average waiting time for decisions has improved, falling to 550 days from 728 days in the previous quarter, and highlighted efforts to reduce the backlog of cases.

Commissioner Lyons stressed that ending modern slavery requires more than identification alone, calling for stronger enforcement, disruption of trafficking networks, and accountability for perpetrators. A Home Office spokesperson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to both supporting victims and preventing abuse of the system, emphasizing that measures aim to maintain a fair and effective process for all referrals.