Refugees and asylum seekers in the UK are at risk of exploitation and modern slavery because of a lack of adequate safeguards, according to a new report.

The report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the British Red Cross looked at the vulnerability of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.

It was s based on in-depth research carried out last year, which included focus groups and interviews with professionals, academics and experts, and with people with lived experience of the UK asylum system and/or experiences of exploitation.

UNHCR and the British Red Cross explained:

“The research finds that people going through the asylum process remain at risk of exploitation and that particular UK government policies and practices can contribute to risks of exploitation for asylum-seekers,” the report said.

“The primary finding of the research is that an over-reliance on people self-identifying as victims of modern slavery and a lack of effective vulnerability screening at all stages of the asylum process means opportunities to identify and address risks and onward support needs are frequently missed.

“Certain policies and practices can also drive risks of exploitation such as requirements for potential victims of modern slavery to report to immigration enforcement in person at the same time and place, failure to provide safe-house accommodation or policies that increase risks of destitution and homelessness.

“This has left people seeking protection in the UK feeling unsafe, unable to disclose experiences of modern slavery and forced into domestic servitude, sexual and labour exploitation and forced criminality,” the report said.

In particular, the report addresses a lack of previous research and information on the impact of UK government policies on asylum seekers, refugees and refused asylum seekers and their risk of exploitation.

The report raises concerns that the risks of exploitation have grown since the passing of the controversial Nationality and Borders Act 2022.

Part of the report looks at problems with the identification of modern slavery in the asylum system. It says that Home Office interviewers do not always ask questions about exploitation or else ask them in inappropriate ways.

“Focus group participants also raised concerns that Home Office officials were perceived to lack adequate training to recognize signs of modern slavery and human trafficking, or to sensitively ask questions that would facilitate disclosure,” the report says.

“People with lived experience described attending screening interviews where they were not asked about exploitation at all, illustrating a clear barrier to disclosure,” it says.

The report looks at how levels of asylum support contribute to exploitation. It says risks of exploitation and re-exploitation particularly arise at key transition points in asylum support and are often connected to destitution and lack of support and advice before entering support, during and after being allocated asylum support accommodation, and for those refused asylum who can no longer access support.

It also focuses on the UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and the concerns over the lack of adequate advice and support for asylum seekers going through the NRM; plus the merging of trafficking decisions with asylum decisions and the lengthy delays in decision-making.

The report also analyses the risks in the transition period when somebody is recognised as a refugee.

“The transition period after someone is recognised as a refugee can pose a risk of exploitation, especially for those who have previously been trafficked and exploited.” It says.

“For refugees in asylum support, the end of that support and difficulties with transitioning into mainstream benefits, employment and housing poses a particular risk of destitution, which can increase existing risks and create new risks of exploitation,” report said.

Executive director of the British Red Cross Zoe Abrams said the report was an indictment.

“We have listened to the powerful stories and testimonies of those who understand our asylum system best – people with first-hand experience of living in it and working with it. They have told us that our current system is failing to protect vulnerable people and is unintentionally putting them at risk of exploitation,” Ms Abrams said.

UNHCR Representative to the UK Vicky Tennant said the report proposes a number of practical and cost-effective changes that would strengthen the UK’s system and ensure people are protected and do not fall through the cracks.

You can see the full report here.