Government warned that asylum plans increase exposure to modern slavery

Credit: Medaille Trust

Source: Medaille Trust

Medaille Trust - a leading provider of modern slavery survivor support services - is concerned that, ten years on from the passing of the Modern Slavery Act, the new government's asylum and returns policy continues to conflate the distinct challenges of modern slavery and asylum seeking. It says:

Although the announcements express an intention to address modern slavery the policies, as set out, risk increasing individuals' exposure to exploitation and weakening vital protections for victims.

Coupled with a stated aim to accelerate removals and reduce opportunities for modern slavery cases to be fully reviewed, the approach falls short of the government's duty of care toward individuals who may be victims of slavery. While the policy focuses heavily on tackling perceived exploitation of the asylum system, it offers no parallel emphasis on safeguarding people who may be experiencing labour or other forms of exploitation, nor any assessment of how these measures will affect those already at risk.

Furthermore, the announcements appear to require asylum seekers to contribute economically while continuing to prevent them from working legally in the UK. Taken together, these measures risk deepening hardship and creating the very circumstances in which modern slavery and trafficking flourish. When people are denied lawful means to support themselves, receive minimal financial assistance, are barred from legal employment, and face prolonged uncertainty over their immigration status, they become far more vulnerable to those who seek to exploit them. By intensifying these vulnerabilities, the policy risks enabling the conditions on which traffickers depend, undermining the protections the Modern Slavery Act was designed to establish and uphold.

Last year saw a record number of potential victims identified through the National Referral Mechanism, and it is well recognised that exploitation remains widespread. It is therefore deeply concerning that the current proposals appear to weaken protections and in doing so create fertile ground for exploitation while at the same time undermining the UK's international and domestic commitments to victims.

The announcement also signals new legislation on modern slavery intended to clarify obligations and address misuse. Medaille Trust would urge the government to take this opportunity to rethink and ensure legislation strengthens support for survivors of exploitation and restores the UK's status as a global leader in the fight against modern slavery.

Medaille Trust is one of the largest Christian charities in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. It supports more than 500 survivors a year through safe house and outreach projects in addition to awareness raising in the UK, prevention work in Albania, and pursuit work that helps survivors to engage with police and the justice system to secure convictions against their abusers.

LINK

www.medaille-trust.org.uk/