MORE than 60 potential modern slavery victims are being referred to the Home Office every day amid a surge in British cases.

The record high of 5,690 people referred between April and June is 32 per cent more than a year ago, new government data shows.

Earlier data showed 19,125 potential victim referrals for 2024, up from 16,990 the previous year.

Independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons said: “Today’s figures show that a record numbers of victims of modern slavery are being exploited on our streets and in our communities.

“Shockingly, a record number of young boys are being exploited and more UK nationals are victims of modern slavery than ever before.

“Government must act to making tackling modern slavery a priority, supported with proper funding and a strategy.”

The Home Office said the latest number of referrals is the highest in a single quarter since the national referral mechanism (NRM) began in 2009.

Those with British nationality were the most commonly referred, accounting for 23 per cent of referrals — a total of 1,286 — the highest number of referrals for British nationals on record.

The next most common nationalities were Eritrean, accounting for 11 per cent.

Almost three-quarters of all referrals were male.

Among child referrals, 79 per cent were boys while 20 per cent were girls.

To access support and have recognition of their circumstances in Britain, victims of slavery and human trafficking have to be assessed under the NRM.

A Home Office spokesperson said that the statistics showed decisions are being made more quickly, “but although these numbers show progress, more clearly needs to be done.”

They said: “Our Modern Slavery Action Plan sets out our vision for a more effective system, where victims are recognised early so they can be given vital support. 

“We will continue to tackle this crime robustly and give survivors the support they need to recover and get on with their lives.”

The government has vowed to clear the backlog of cases awaiting a conclusive grounds decision by December 2026.

The median time cases had to await a conclusive grounds decision once the initial reasonable grounds decision was issued stood at 304 days at the end of June, down from a 474-day wait at the end of the previous quarter.