The Home Office has published the summary of responses to its call for evidence on how the UK identifies victims of modern slavery, including the National Referral Mechanism.
Report item. The summary of responses was added to the call for evidence page on 24 February 2026.
The Home Office has added a summary of responses to the page for its call for evidence, "Identification of victims of modern slavery". The call for evidence asked for evidence and views on the UK's system for identifying victims of modern slavery.
The Home Office describes the call for evidence as "an important step towards longer-term reforms" of the modern slavery identification system, known as the National Referral Mechanism. It says it wanted to hear from a wide range of groups about how the UK can have a more effective identification system.
The stated aim is a system in which victims are recognised early and accurately. This is so that they can be protected and given appropriate assistance and support towards recovery from exploitation.
The call for evidence was organised around 3 themes where the government says it has identified a particular need for further evidence and insights:
- definitions of victims of modern slavery
- initial identification of victims of modern slavery
- formal identification of victims of modern slavery
The page text available to us does not set out the content of the responses, the number of respondents or any decisions on reform. This item therefore reports only the publication of the summary and the structure of the exercise. The summary itself is on the Home Office page linked below.
What this means for applicants
The source describes the call for evidence as a step towards longer-term reforms. It announces no new rules, forms or dates, and the page text available to us does not say what the summary of responses means for the National Referral Mechanism in practice.
Sources
- Identification of victims of modern slavery, Home Office, GOV.UK