Britain’s Migration Crackdown Leaves Thousands of Modern Slavery Victims Without Support

Thousands of victims of modern slavery in Britain are being denied essential support due to stricter immigration rules introduced in 2023, according to sources from government, law enforcement, and charities. The changes have made it harder for victims to qualify for state assistance by demanding greater proof of exploitation, leading to a rejection rate of 45% in 2023 compared to just 11% in 2022. The toughened regulations are deterring victims from coming forward, fearing deportation instead of protection.

The 2015 Modern Slavery Act, once considered a global benchmark for combatting trafficking, has now lost its effectiveness, a recent House of Lords report revealed. Despite earlier pledges to reform the rules, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has maintained a ban on asylum seekers accessing modern slavery protections. Data from the Home Office shows that foreign victims face harsher rejection rates, with 85% of British applicants receiving positive decisions compared to just 44% for foreign nationals.

Charities warn that the tightened rules have created significant barriers for victims, many of whom are unable to provide comprehensive evidence of their exploitation. Former officials and experts said the measures undermine efforts to catch traffickers, with victim engagement plummeting. Britain’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner expressed concerns that fears of deportation, including past proposals to send migrants to Rwanda, continue to deter victims from seeking help.

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