Claims of modern slavery soar 250%

THE number of migrants claiming to be victims of modern slavery to avoid deportation has risen by 250% in four years.

- By Jon King

Last year there were 4,646 referrals, up from 1,307 in 2020.

And 65% of those last year were deemed to have no reasonable grounds, compared with just 16% four years earlier.

The figures suggest some asylum seekers are attempting to game the system, using laws meant to protect people who have been exploited.