Guest Blog from Hope at Home.
As we begin Anti-Slavery Week, we are sharing this guest blog post from our friends at Hope at Home, as they launch a campaign asking us to consider taking action on proposed legislation that could have serious consequences for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. Read on to learn more and respond!
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Get involved: Ask your MP to consider the impact of the Immigration and Asylum Bill on survivors
What’s happening?
The Immigration and Asylum Bill was introduced by Shabana Mahmood in June 2026. It is currently in committee stage and being scrutinised by a committee made up of MPs from different political parties.
Part 5 of the Bill looks specifically at modern slavery and we believe, if enacted, it will severely undermine the UK’s efforts to tackle trafficking and modern slavery, leaving many survivors without access to recognition, protection, vital support and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
What is the problem with the proposed legislation?
Via Part 5 of the Bill the Government proposes to introduce a credibility framework, penalties for late disclosure, powers to withhold or cease support, and tighter criteria for temporary permission to stay as measures to reduce misuse of the support mechanisms the UK offers, even though there is no evidence that support is being abused.
Between January and June this year over 16,000 victims of modern slavery and human trafficking have been identified in the UK. Nearly 13,000 of them have required support and been entered into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s mechanism for identifying and supporting survivors.
When a survivor of modern slavery manages to leave their exploitative situation, they often experience homelessness and poverty and are vulnerable to re-trafficking and further exploitation.
We are concerned that by placing victim protection within an immigration enforcement framework, the Bill conflates the identification and protection of victims with immigration control. The UK has obligations to identify, protect and support victims of trafficking regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
Our experience demonstrates that when survivors are given safety, stability and appropriate support, they can begin to recover, rebuild their lives and contribute positively.
We believe the Immigration and Asylum Bill will reduce both the identification of potential victims and the support and protection available to them.
What can I do?
Hope at Home has made submissions outlining our concerns about this Bill to the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Bill committee, and we are asking you to get involved as well.
Sometimes we can feel powerless to effect political change and unsure what meaningful action we can take. But our MPs need to hear directly from the people they represent. Contacting your MP is a simple, practical way to make your voice heard, and the good news is there is still time to do this for the Immigration and Asylum Bill.
This Bill will have a negative impact on survivors, and we need to let our MPs know this.
On our website at this link we’ve put together the information and drafted a letter for you to send to your MP about the Bill. All you need to do is use the letter tool, add a few words in your own voice about why this matters to you, press the send button and take action today
Remember, the more personalised the letter is, the bigger the impact.
If you are a host with Hope at Home, please do tell your MP why you are motivated to host and, if you have hosted, what difference this has made to your guest.
If you are a supporter of Hope at Home, please do explain why you support Hope at Home and what difference you think a safe place to call home makes to someone.
If you would like to get in touch and hear more about our work, please call our CEO, Jared Hodgson on 07877 447 341 or email him at jared@hopeathome.org.uk
*Opinions expressed in guest posts are those of the author, and do not represent any official position held by Jubilee+.*
About Hope at Home
Mission: Providing safe homes for survivors of modern slavery by offering a range of innovative accommodation options in collaboration with other organisations.
Vision: Safe homes for all survivors of modern slavery.
Hope at Home was founded on the values and vision of Jesus who went to those who were marginalised and in need to bring comfort and restoration. Find out more via their website: Home - Hope at Home - A Hosting Scheme for Survivors of Slavery