The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) January to June 2026 statistics indicate a continued increase in the identification of potential victims of modern slavery in the UK. The data demonstrates record levels of referrals, alongside continued progress in reducing the number of outstanding cases within the NRM. Key results from the Home Office offical statistics, published 24th September 2026:

• a total of 25,373 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office (HO) in the YE June 2026, representing a 5% increase compared with the YE March 2026 (24,108)
• this is the highest number of referrals received in a year since the NRM began
• 77% (19,622) of referrals were sent to the Single Competent Authority (SCA) and 23% (5,751) to the Immigration Enforcement Competent Authority (IECA)
• the most common nationalities referred were UK (22%; 5,548), Eritrean (13%; 3,220) and Somali (11%; 2,741)
• the YE June 2026 saw the highest total number of referrals reporting exploitation exclusively overseas since the NRM began (54%; 13,591)
• 23,573 reasonable grounds and 21,564 conclusive grounds decisions were issued; of these, 64% of reasonable grounds and 71% of conclusive grounds decisions were positive
• as of the end of June 2026, there were 5,656 cases which have been issued a positive reasonable grounds decision and are awaiting a conclusive grounds decision; this represents a 23% increase compared to the end of March 2026 (4,604 cases) and an 82% decrease compared to the end of December 2022 (31,022 cases)
• the average (median) age of cases awaiting a conclusive grounds decision following a positive reasonable grounds decision was 84 days at the end of June 2026, compared to 50 days at the end of March 2026 and 772 days at the peak at the end of June 2024
• the HO received 7,070 reports of adult potential victims via the DtN system in the YE June 2026

 

Overall, the 2026 data thus far demonstrates a continued rise in modern slavery referrals and positive decisions, signalling modern slavery is a ever increasing issue in the UK. Although the number of outstanding cases increased during the period, the substantial reduction since the 2022 peak indicates continued progress in reducing the NRM backlog.

See the full Home Office offical statistics for the Year To June 2026, please see here.

Please note Home Office have changed their statistical reporting process from quarterly, to Year To Date. For more information, please see here.