A new report from the Council of Europe has warned that recent immigration policies in the United Kingdom are increasing the vulnerability of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees to human trafficking and exploitation.
The 112-page evaluation report was published by the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which monitors efforts to combat human trafficking across Europe.
According to the report, referrals to the UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the system used to identify victims of trafficking, rose sharply from 12,687 cases in 2021 to more than 17,390 during the first nine months of 2025.
The report stated that asylum seekers, refugees, irregular migrants, and migrant workers remain especially vulnerable to trafficking because of insecure immigration status, limited access to work opportunities, and barriers to legal and social support.
GRETA expressed concern that recent immigration laws, including the Nationality and Borders Act, have made it harder for trafficking victims to seek protection. The organization warned that fear of detention and deportation discourages many migrants from reporting exploitation or agreeing to be referred into the NRM system.
The report noted that the UK’s victim identification process has become increasingly difficult to navigate. GRETA said the system now functions almost like a legal court process with high proof requirements, making it especially challenging for vulnerable migrants who do not have access to free legal aid.
According to the findings, British nationals remained the largest group referred into the NRM, followed by migrants from Eritrea, Vietnam, and Albania.
The report also highlighted concerns about accommodation provided to asylum seekers and vulnerable children. GRETA said some unaccompanied migrant children have been housed in hotels, tents, caravans, and other unsuitable temporary accommodation because of shortages in foster homes and child care facilities.
Human trafficking linked to labor exploitation was identified as one of the most common forms of abuse affecting foreign nationals working in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, domestic work, and care services.
GRETA also criticized restrictions placed on migrants through the “No Recourse to Public Funds” policy, warning that the policy can increase homelessness and force vulnerable people into exploitative work situations.
The organization called on UK authorities to improve access to legal aid, safe accommodation, psychological support, and employment opportunities for asylum seekers and trafficking victims. It also urged the government to review the impact of immigration laws on migrant exploitation and trafficking risks.
The report further raised concerns about the low number of trafficking victims granted residence permits despite receiving positive decisions confirming they were victims of exploitation. GRETA said many victims remain without stable immigration status and are instead pushed into the asylum system.
Reacting to the report, Anti-Slavery International said the findings clearly show that stricter immigration policies are creating conditions that traffickers can exploit to control vulnerable migrants.
GRETA stressed that stronger safeguards are urgently needed to protect migrants and trafficking victims while ensuring that anti-trafficking systems remain accessible regardless of a person’s immigration status.