The Home Affairs Committee launches an inquiry to address the scale and impact of human trafficking.

The Home Affairs Committee has announced a new inquiry to investigate human trafficking in the UK, a crime that involves the exploitation of individuals through recruitment, transportation, or harboring for various forms of exploitation. Human trafficking often occurs both across international borders and within the country, making it difficult to accurately estimate the true extent of the issue.

In 2021, the Home Office received 12,727 referrals through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which identifies potential victims of modern slavery. However, experts believe this figure likely underrepresents the actual number of victims. Charities supporting trafficking survivors have pointed out the gendered nature of trafficking, with more than half of female victims suffering from sexual exploitation, while nearly two-thirds of male victims face labor exploitation.

A significant number of trafficking victims in the UK are non-British nationals, having been recruited in other countries. While some migrants may attempt to misuse the NRM to claim asylum, data from the Home Office indicates that 90% of those referred to the mechanism are indeed victims of modern slavery.

The inquiry will explore the scale of trafficking in the UK, the various forms it takes, and assess the effectiveness of current government policies, legislation, and the criminal justice system in preventing trafficking, prosecuting perpetrators, and protecting victims. The Committee will also look at potential improvements to ensure better outcomes for victims and stronger deterrents for traffickers.