Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee

Recommendation 61

61 Deferred Paragraph: 191

Extensive National Referral Mechanism Conclusive Grounds decision time is unacceptable and detrimental

Conclusion
The extensive time taken for Conclusive Grounds decision-making within the National Referral Mechanism is unacceptable. Lengthy decision-making is detrimental to victims’ mental health and wellbeing and puts significant pressure on the services that support them during this time.
Government Response Summary
The government response discusses the Section 45 defence of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which does not address the conclusion about the extensive and detrimental time taken for Conclusive Grounds decision-making within the National Referral Mechanism.
Paragraph Reference: 191
Government Response Deferred
HM Government Deferred
61. The Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA) found in 2019 that the Section 45 defence struck the right balance between protecting victims and preventing abuse, however, the Government recognises that concerns remain.