The Home Office, the UK’s interior ministry, announced on 12 October 2026 that it had cleared the backlog of final decisions on modern slavery cases. That does not mean every case has been resolved: the department’s figures show that 6,277 cases were still awaiting a decision on 30 September.
In its statement, the Home Office compares that figure with a peak of 31,101 cases in 2023. It describes the reduction as 80% and presents it as fulfilling a commitment made in 2024 to clear the backlog within two years. However, it does not explain how it defines the backlog or where it draws the line between backlogged cases and current cases. Its announcement therefore needs to be distinguished from the number of proceedings still awaiting completion.
What a final decision means
These cases are considered through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s system for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery. A conclusive grounds decision is the final determination, based on all available evidence, of whether a person is recognised as a victim.
According to the Home Office, faster decisions are intended to reduce the time victims wait for their status to be recognised. The department also points to implications for immigration enforcement: for people without permission to remain, completing the process is intended to remove a barrier to removal from the UK. This describes the department’s policy aim, rather than providing figures for removals carried out as a result of faster decisions.
Rule changes and proposed legislation
The announcement also highlights a change to the Immigration Rules, which govern the UK’s immigration system. Skilled Worker visa holders who have been recognised as victims of modern slavery can work for any employer for the remaining duration of their visa. We covered this change in more detail in “Skilled Worker: recognised slavery victims can leave their sponsor”.
The Home Office also refers to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, a proposed law. According to the department, it includes safeguards for victims, measures to curb abuse, stronger law enforcement powers, and duties on businesses and public bodies to tackle exploitation in supply chains. These are provisions described in the bill and should not be confused with legislation already in force.
For those waiting for a decision, the key point is therefore a substantial reduction in unresolved cases, not the completion of every case. The figure of 6,277 is a snapshot from the end of September, rather than the number awaiting a decision on the day the announcement was published.
