Controversial new measures aimed at stopping illegal migration could undermine attempts to curb human trafficking, CARE has said.

This afternoon, the government announced an Illegal Migration Bill to prevent people arriving illegally in the UK from claiming asylum.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said the bill would push "the boundaries of international law" without breaking it.

CARE's trafficking policy expert Rebecca Stevenson believes the plans could make it harder for trafficking victims to seek help:

“We are seriously concerned that these proposals will do nothing to help victims of human trafficking being brought to our shores, or those already here who are currently being exploited. In fact, the approach signalled by the government could undermine efforts to identify victims and ensure that justice is served.

"This legislation could create a closed loop that fuels human trafficking. People being exploited already face huge barriers to coming forward. They will find it even more difficult to do so when seeking help could see them immediately deported. Many will conclude it’s better not to speak out at all.

“Modern slavery remains a high-profit, low-risk crime and conviction rates are low. We need to identify more victims and the evidence required to convict criminals. Doing this will also be made much more challenging in an environment where people fear engaging with the state due to their immigration status.

"The government needs to clarify how it is going to meet its obligations under the European Convention Against Trafficking, which requires signatories to identify and support victims of modern slavery. Are ministers still able to do this whilst also saying that they will ‘push the limits’ in their new approach?

“Article 2 of the convention applies to all forms of trafficking in human beings: national or transnational, connected to organised crime or not. Article 3 sets out the non-discrimination principle. Under the legislation proposed, it is hard to see how the UK could continue to meet these obligations.

Ms Stevenson added that the new legislation is part of a longer, “worry trend” that sees modern slavery concerns played down:

“We currently have no independent anti-slavery commissioner – nobody to advocate on behalf of victims – despite this role being a requirement under the Modern Slavery Act. The recruitment process for a new lead has been repeatedly stalled. What message does this sent to people who are at risk?

“A commitment to provide more support to trafficking victims under the Nationality and Borders Act has also not been acted on by ministers many months after it was made. There appears to be a worrying trend that sees trafficking concerns played down in moves to tackle illegal migration.

“The issues the government are grappling with are complex, and we appreciate the difficult situation ministers face. However, the government needs to be aware of the collateral damage that could occur to anti-trafficking efforts – and vulnerable people – if they get these proposals wrong.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

CARE provides social policy analysis from a Christian perspective. It has successfully campaigned for modern slavery protections in different parts of the UK, and spearheaded warnings about a trafficking risk to Ukrainian refugees last year.

For more info or to request an interview, contact: press@care.org.uk