Hestia responds to new NRM statistics on modern slavery

“Yesterday (19 February 2026), the government released the 2025 statistics for the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). This data confirms what we sadly know all too well - modern slavery remains a significant and evolving issue across the UK.

We welcome the Government’s active efforts to reduce the backlog of cases. Shorter waiting times are vital so survivors can access recognition more quickly. However, reducing the backlog must not come at the expense of evidence-based, trauma-informed decision-making. In 2024, 68% of negative conclusive grounds decisions - a determination by the UK's Single Competent Authority that, on the balance of probabilities, there is insufficient evidence to formally recognise a person as a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking - were overturned on reconsideration. In 2025 this increased to 77%. We believe that the increase in successful reconsiderations, may be a result of service users not having the necessary time or support to make their case*. Survivors struggle to recount their experiences consistently while processing trauma - expecting coherent accounts or extensive evidence within tight timeframes does not reflect that reality. 

These statistics also challenge the misconception that modern slavery only affects people trafficked from overseas. Modern slavery is happening here, in our own communities, to our most vulnerable neighbours.  These statistics show a rise in British nationals referred, from 4441 to 5110 in one year – this constitutes 22% of the overall number of referrals in 2025  (the biggest single nationality represented). Looking at adult cases alone,  we have seen an increase from 1106 in 2024 to 1269 in 2025.  At Hestia, we support British survivors of labour exploitation, cuckooing, county lines and sexual exploitation.  The real issue is not where someone comes from, but whether they are vulnerable to exploitation. We need greater awareness of how to spot the signs and protect vulnerable people in our communities.

In light of some of the recent rhetoric used around modern slavery , we also want to be clear that the NRM system is incredibly hard to exploit. People cannot self-refer - but must be referred by an authorised first responder. In 2025, 58% of referrals came from government agencies, including the Home Office.  Cases go through multiple stages of scrutiny, including both Reasonable Grounds and Conclusive Grounds decisions. Authorities already have the power to apply Bad Faith Disqualification, removing protection and support where someone has knowingly made a dishonest claim. This power is used extremely rarely - only six people were disqualified on grounds of bad faith 2025.

The latest NRM statistics show that while there has been notable progress in recognising victims and getting them the support they need, more needs to be done to ensure decision making is trauma-informed and evidence-based.  Hestia will continue to provide person-centred support for survivors of modern slavery, helping them regain a sense of safety and rebuild their lives with hope and purpose.” 

* In 2025, 78% of negative conclusive grounds decisions issued were due to having “insufficient information to meet the standard of proof required”, which strongly indicates people are not being given sufficient time or support to build their case. 

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