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A recent study from a centre-right thinktank concludes that asylum seekers are not commonly exploit the modern slavery system in the UK, undermining claims made by multiple interior ministers.

Limited Evidence of Fabricated Allegations

The analysis by the thinktank Bright Blue finds little proof that refugee claimants are making dishonest claims of being survivors of human trafficking as a strategy to remain in the country. This is despite several home secretaries pointing to these rules for hindering deportation efforts.

"The interior ministry thinks the modern slavery referral system is being abused because it allows people to stay in the country for longer periods," stated Ryan Shorthouse, executive chairman of the institute. "However, although there may be some abuse, we doubt that it is widespread."

Policy Changes Could Have Limited Impact

The results also suggest that pledges from the incumbent interior minister, the Home Secretary, to change modern slavery rules may achieve only modest results in lowering asylum application numbers. Her plans are expected to be detailed early next year.

The authors, however, propose a new system focused on quicker identification of trafficking cases as a method to eradicate the small degree of misuse that they say does occur.

Increasing Cases and Government Response

The volume of individuals referred to the system has risen sharply since its introduction in 2015, from approximately 3,000 that year to more than 19,000 in the most recent year.

Previous interior ministers have blamed the refugee process for the rise, accusing claimants of attempting to be classified as victims of modern-day slavery to prevent deportation.

Officials highlight the fact that some of the nationalities most commonly referred for assessment also represent those that form mainstream asylum applications. UK citizens make up the biggest cohort, then come people from Albania, Vietnamese and Eritrean backgrounds.

Evaluation Results

• Research indicated that 90% of those referred were assessed as having reasonable grounds for classification as survivors, implying the vast majority were not deemed frivolous.
• Furthermore, not most individuals of those found to have suffered to modern-day slavery granted permission to stay in the UK. This status typically results in compensation and merely short-term leave to remain.

Suggested Reforms

The report's writers suggest ministers should train official frontline agencies including the Home Office and Border Force to identify signs of trafficking more quickly. Once that is done, they say ministers could ban detained individuals – who will have already been assessed – from receiving referrals entirely.

Reacting to the findings, an interior ministry representative commented: "Modern slavery referrals are increasing. This is why the home secretary announced reforms … to identify vulnerable people and prevent exploitation."

"The statement significantly overhaul the strategy for unauthorized immigration, rendering the UK a less attractive destination for unlawful entrants and more difficult for people to block their deportation from Britain," they concluded.