Written By Lisa Murimi
The UK government has announced plans to clear a backlog of over 23,000 modern slavery cases within two years.Â
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips revealed that 200 additional staff will be recruited to expedite the process, calling it a “top priority.”
Currently, victims, including children, face an average wait of more than 500 days for a conclusive decision from the Home Office.
Some have spent up to four years in safehouses, according to the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
In 2023, there were nearly 17,000 referrals to the National Referral Mechanism.
Phillips said the new hires, joining 650 existing staff, will start in early 2025.
Funding will be reallocated from existing budgets, including money from the scrapped Rwanda plan.
She also pledged to reform the modern slavery system and increase prosecutions against traffickers.
The Salvation Army welcomed the recruitment but warned that many victims are declining help, fearing prosecution and deportation due to recent legal changes.
Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons called for more prosecutions and a government strategy that prioritizes victims’ protection.
Experts estimate over 120,000 people are currently being exploited across the UK, and the number of referrals to police has risen by 70% in five years.
