New Research Challenges Claims of Widespread Modern Slavery Abuse by UK Asylum Seekers
A recent report from the centre-right thinktank Bright Blue challenges the notion that asylum seekers are widely abusing the modern slavery system in the UK. This finding contradicts statements made by several Home Secretaries, who have blamed the system for preventing them from deporting more individuals.
The report reveals limited evidence of asylum seekers falsely claiming to be victims of modern slavery to remain in the country. Despite this, the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has promised to rewrite the UK's modern slavery rules, but the report suggests that these changes may not significantly reduce the number of asylum claimants.
Bright Blue's authors propose a new system focused on early detection of modern slavery as a solution to the limited abuse they acknowledge exists. Ryan Shorthouse, the founder and executive chair of Bright Blue, expressed skepticism about widespread abuse, stating that while some abuse may occur, it is not a significant issue.
The modern slavery rules in England and Wales were introduced in 2015 by Theresa May, establishing a formal mechanism to assess potential victims of slavery and human trafficking. The number of referrals to the system has increased significantly, from 3,000 in 2015 to over 19,000 last year.
Recent Home Secretaries have attributed the rise in referrals to the asylum system, accusing claimants of seeking to be classified as victims of modern-day slavery to avoid deportation. They highlight that certain nationalities, such as British nationals, Albanians, Vietnamese, and Eritreans, are frequently referred for assessment under trafficking rules and also form the majority of asylum claims.
Mahmood has accused asylum seekers of making 'vexatious, last-minute claims' after the High Court blocked the deportation of an Eritrean man who claimed to be a victim of trafficking. Despite these accusations, the report reveals that 90% of those referred for assessment were found to have reasonable grounds for being classified as victims, indicating that the majority of cases are not vexatious.
Moreover, the vast majority of individuals found to have been subjected to modern-day slavery are not granted leave to remain in the UK. Instead, they receive compensation and temporary permission to stay. The report suggests that the government should focus on training statutory first-responder organizations to detect signs of trafficking and slavery more efficiently.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the reforms, emphasizing the rise in modern slavery referrals and the government's efforts to identify vulnerable individuals and prevent misuse. They also highlighted the broader approach to illegal migration, aiming to reduce Britain's attractiveness as a destination for illegal migrants and make it harder for people to avoid deportation.
