The UK government has announced plans to eliminate the backlog of unresolved modern slavery cases within two years as part of a broader effort to support victims. This commitment, detailed in a Home Office release titled “Modern Slavery Victims to Be Supported in Fresh Measures,” was shared in response to significant delays that have left many survivors in prolonged uncertainty.
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding, unveiled the reforms during Anti-Slavery Week. Speaking to charity representatives and law enforcement officials, Phillips expressed her determination to overhaul the system and improve support for victims.
“Modern slavery survivors and the harrowing experiences they have lived through have not been given the attention and support they deserve. This is going to change,” Phillips stated.
Key to the plan is the recruitment of 200 additional Home Office staff by early 2025 to address the large volume of cases. These changes aim to reduce the wait times for decisions made through the national referral mechanism, which has been criticized for contributing to mental health issues among survivors.
Major Kathy Betteridge of The Salvation Army also welcomed the reforms, noting that many survivors in their care feel trapped due to the lengthy decision-making process. Phillips acknowledged that while the reforms are an important first step, there is still much more work to be done to tackle modern slavery and support victims.
