Modern slavery decision backlog cleared
The government has eliminated the backlog of modern slavery cases awaiting a final decision, giving victims certainty sooner and supporting timely removals.
The enormous backlog of modern slavery cases has been cleared, allowing the government to recognise victims more quickly and remove those with no right to remain.
The government inherited a system in disarray, with a huge backlog of cases waiting for a final decision in the National Referral Mechanism - the UK’s framework for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery.
New figures show the Home Office has delivered on its 2024 commitment to eradicate this backlog within 2 years.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Satvir Kaur, said:
We inherited an inefficient modern slavery system completely out of control. Two years ago, we promised to end the unacceptable delays. We have delivered on that promise.
We have restored order to a system where delays meant survivors who had suffered horrific abuse were waiting too long for certainty. People with no right to be here were able to disrupt removals.
Fulfilling this commitment means that we can identify and protect victims more quickly, tackle misuse, and go after criminal gangs profiting from human misery.
There are now tens of thousands fewer cases waiting for a conclusive grounds decision - the final decision on whether someone is recognised as a victim of modern slavery based on all available evidence - compared to the peak in 2023.
As of 30 September 2026, 6,277 cases were awaiting this decision - an 80% reduction from the peak of 31,101 in 2023.
Faster decisions mean people who have suffered exploitation spend less time waiting for recognition of their victim status, which can support their recovery.
At the same time, faster decisions eliminate a barrier to immigration removal for those who have no right to be in the UK.
The achievement comes as the government is strengthening protections for victims of modern slavery through the Immigration and Asylum Bill. The bill will protect essential safeguards for survivors while closing opportunities for abuse of the system by those vexatiously seeking to block their legitimate removal from the UK.
The reforms will also strengthen law enforcement powers and place tougher obligations on businesses and public bodies to tackle exploitation in their supply chains.
The government has changed the Immigration Rules to allow individuals on skilled worker visas recognised as victims of modern slavery to work for any employer for the remaining duration of their visa. Reducing the wait time for their conclusive grounds decision means they can leave exploitative employers and move forward with their lives.
Together, these measures are identifying victims faster, protecting them from further exploitation, curbing opportunities for misuse and maintaining public confidence in the system.