A new report has challenged the government’s long-standing claim that asylum seekers are widely abusing modern slavery laws to avoid deportation.
The findings, published by centre-right thinktank Bright Blue, reveal there is limited evidence that the UK’s modern slavery system is being exploited on a large scale — despite repeated assertions by current and former home secretaries that the system is being misused.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has promised to overhaul modern slavery laws, claiming they are used for “vexatious, last-minute claims” that block deportations. But Bright Blue’s research suggests such reforms are unlikely to significantly reduce asylum numbers.
“The Home Office thinks the system is being abused because it allows people to stay a bit longer,” said Ryan Shorthouse, the thinktank’s chair. “While there may be some abuse, we are sceptical that it is widespread.”
Introduced in 2015 under Theresa May, the UK’s modern slavery framework allows public bodies to refer suspected victims for protection. Most referrals — around 97% — come from official agencies like police, Border Force, or the Home Office itself, not from asylum seekers directly.
In fact, 90% of those referred are assessed to have “reasonable grounds” for being genuine victims, and most do not receive permanent status — only short-term protection or access to compensation.
Bright Blue recommends better training for frontline agencies to detect signs of trafficking earlier, but says blanket claims of system abuse are not supported by the evidence.
Despite this, a Home Office spokesperson said referrals are rising and insisted reforms are still needed to “stop misuse” and make the UK a “less attractive destination for illegal migrants.”