UK modern-slavery claims surge as asylum system is gamed

London — thousands of migrants are falsely claiming to be victims of modern slavery in an effort to avoid deportation, with referrals rising about 250% over four years. Officials say many claims are being used to stall removals and are supported by little or no evidence. Last year, 4,646 modern-slavery referrals were recorded, up from 1,307 in 2020. Of those referrals, 65% were found to have no reasonable grounds, a dramatic rise from 16% four years earlier.

Examples have emerged of dubious claims: one involved a convicted rapist who asserted he was a victim shortly before boarding a deportation flight, delaying his removal after The Sun on Sunday reported the claim. In another case, an Albanian migrant lodged four appeals under the Modern Slavery Act before he was due to depart, delaying his deportation. A growing number of cases involve a single legal firm that allegedly stopped three deportations by claiming PTSD for clients who shared identical medical forms signed by one doctor.

The controversy over asylum policy coincides with record-channel crossings. On Friday, 1,072 people crossed the English Channel in 13 small boats, underscoring ongoing challenges for the government as it presses its deterrence strategy. Keir Starmer's one-in, one-out policy drew criticism as the crossings surged, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the policy was failing to deter flows and complained that only a handful of returns had been made compared with the number arriving.

Ministers argue the reciprocal deal with France can deter unlawful entry by deterring migrants with the prospect of being returned if they travel by small boat. The agreement allows the detention and return of asylum seekers to France in exchange for an equivalent number of people who applied via safe and legal routes. More than 30,000 people have arrived by small boat this year, and the first flights carrying asylum seekers from France to the UK under the deal are expected to take place next week. A Home Office source said returns would be “at or close to parity,” reflecting the deal’s design.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised the returns as an “immediate deterrent” and said they would be increased in the coming months. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp, by contrast, said the deal offered “no deterrent effect whatsoever” and described the returns as “pathetic.” Government officials pointed to the forcible returns and drew comparisons to Labour’s stance on a Rwanda deal scrapped by Labour that nonetheless shaped the government’s current approach.

The policy debate unfolds as officials seek to balance humanitarian protections with deportation priorities. While the modern-slavery referrals reveal evolving tactics by some migrants to exploit legal protections, authorities say many claims are lacking evidence and are aimed at delaying removal. The government plans to expand the use of returns under the France deal in the months ahead, while critics argue that the measure should be complemented by broader safety channels and asylum reforms to manage lawful routes and reduce risk for those genuinely in need.