Record number of potential modern slavery victims

The number of potential modern slavery victims referred to the Home Office reached a record high and have risen by almost a third in a year, according to new figures out today.

In total, 5,690 people were referred between April and June this year which is a seven per cent increase on the previous three-month period.

For 2024 as a whole, more than 19,000 potential slavery victims were referred to the Home Office, up from 16,990 the year before.

The latest figures for April – June this year are the highest quarterly number ever recorded since the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) began in 2009.

Twenty three per cent of people referred were UK nationals, with the next most common being Eritrean and Vietnamese.

Among child referrals, 79 per cent were boys while 20 per cent were girls.

In 11,547 cases have been issued with a positive initial decision which means it is likely they are genuine victims of modern slavery, but they are awaiting the final, conclusive grounds decision.

The average time cases wait for a conclusive grounds decision once the initial grounds decision is reached stood at 304 days at the end of June, down from a 474-day wait at the end of last quarter.

Independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons said: Today’s figures show that a record numbers of victims of modern slavery are being exploited on our streets and in our communities.

“Shockingly, a record number of young boys are being exploited and more UK nationals are victims of modern slavery than ever before.

“Against this backdrop of rising exploitation, the system that should identify and support victims is not working, victims have lost trust in it, there are long delays for victims, and there is poor decision-making.”