Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy: fifth progress report

Identify victims and support them to safety and recovery

Number of potential victims identified

All victims (adults and children) who entered the NRM

The Home Office has published annual data from the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for each year (2021-2024), including a breakdown of referrals from Scotland:

2021

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/modern-slavery-national-referral-mechanism-and-duty-to-notify-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2021

Key data for Scotland in 2021:

Total referrals: 419

71% of all cases reported to the NRM in 2021 in relation to Scotland contained indicators of labour exploitation, followed by criminal exploitation (27%) and sexual exploitation (23%).

(NB: referrals can contain multiple indicators of exploitation)

The most common nationality referred was Vietnamese (107), Iranian (56), Albanian (47) and Iraqi (26).

Number of potential victims identified

All victims (adults and children) who entered the NRM

2022

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/modern-slavery-national-referral-mechanism-and-duty-to-notify-statistics-uk-end-of-year-summary-2022

Key data for Scotland in 2022:

Total referrals: 621

62% of all cases reported to the NRM in 2022 in relation to Scotland contained indicators of labour exploitation, followed by criminal exploitation (30%) and sexual exploitation (17%).

The most common nationality referred was Vietnamese (120), Albanian (94), UK (72) and Iranian (60).

2023

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/modern-slavery-nrm-and-dtn-statistics-end-of-year-summary-2023

Key data for Scotland in 2023:

Total referrals: 765

60% of all cases reported to the NRM in 2023 in relation to Scotland contained indicators of labour exploitation, followed by criminal exploitation (31%) and sexual exploitation (18%).

The most common nationality referred was Vietnamese (218), Albanian (105), UK (88) and Sudanese (52).

2024

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/modern-slavery-nrm-and-dtn-statistics-end-of-year-summary-2024

Key data for Scotland in 2024:

Total referrals: 920

64% of all cases reported to the NRM in 2024 in relation to Scotland contained indicators of labour exploitation, followed by criminal exploitation (32%) and sexual exploitation (15%).

The most common nationality referred was Vietnamese (306), Albanian (103), UK (94) and Eritrean (69).

Number of adult victims provided with support

Reports from the support provider

2021/2022 (1 April 2021-31 March 2022)

TARA supported 114 women over the course of 2021/2022 including 54 newly identified during the year.

25 women were provided with crisis accommodation and 3 women were repatriated or relocated within the UK.

On 31 March 2022, TARA had:

• 61 open cases
• 59 positive Reasonable Grounds (RG) decisions
• 8 positive Conclusive Grounds (CG) decisions
• 1 Reconsideration request
• 91 outstanding (CG) decisions
• 53 cases were closed during 2021/2022.

The average length of support for the 61 open cases was 9 months. The average length of support for the 53 closed cases was 12 months. In 9 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

TARA issued 35 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in 2021/2022.

Migrant Help supported 548 clients in this period including 429 newly identified during the year.

110 clients were provided with crisis accommodation and there were 12 repatriations or relocations within the UK during the period.

On 31 March 2022, Migrant Help had:

• 194 open cases
• 396 positive RG decisions, 9 negative RG decisions and 33 decisions awaited (including 0 reconsiderations)
• 9 positive CG decisions and 3 negative CG decisions;
• 0 (RG) reconsideration request and 0 CG reconsideration requests;
• 192 outstanding CG decisions; and
• 319 cases closed during the period.

The average length of support for the 194 open cases was 4.3 months. The average length of support for the 319 closed cases was 4.6 months. In 2 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

Migrant Help issued 305 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in this period.

2022/2023

TARA supported 99 women over the course of 2022/2023 including 44 newly identified during the year.

28 women were provided with crisis accommodation and one woman was repatriated or relocated within the UK during the year.

On 31 March 2023, TARA had:

• 51 open cases
• 48 positive RG decisions
• 15 positive CG decisions
• 1 reconsideration request
• 83 outstanding CG decisions
• 48 cases closed during 2022/2023.

The average length of support for the 51 open cases was 10 months. The average length of support for the 48 closed cases was 14 months. In 12 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

TARA issued 37 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in 2022/2023.

Migrant Help supported 694 clients in this period including 512 newly identified during the year.

176 clients were provided with crisis accommodation and there were 12 repatriations or relocations within the UK during the period.

On 31 March 2023, Migrant Help had:

• 258 open cases
• 240 positive RG decisions, 48 negative RG decisions and 52 decisions awaited (including 0 reconsiderations)
• 12 positive CG decisions and 3 negative CG decisions;
• 0 (RG) reconsideration request and 0 CG reconsideration requests;
• 258 outstanding CG decisions; and
• 420 cases closed during the period.

The average length of support for the 258 open cases was 7 months. The average length of support for the 420 closed cases was 4.5 months. In 5 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

Migrant Help issued 475 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in this period.

2023/2024

TARA supported 116 women over the course of 2023/2024 including 60 newly identified during the year.

36 women were provided with crisis accommodation and two women were repatriated or relocated within the UK during the year.

On 31 March 2024, TARA had:

• 82 open cases
• 38 positive RG decisions, 16 negative RG decisions and 2 unknown (1 transfer to another support provider and 1 repatriation)
• 11 positive CG decisions and 4 negative CG decisions
• 13 (RG) reconsideration requests
• 56 outstanding CG decisions
• 34 cases closed during 2023/24.

The average length of support for the 82 open cases was 11 months. The average length of support for the 34 closed cases was 15 months. In 14 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

TARA issued 38 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in 2023/2024.

Migrant Help supported 879 clients in this period including 562 newly identified during the year.

258 clients were provided with crisis accommodation and there were 20 repatriations or relocations within the UK during the period.

On 31 March 2024, Migrant Help had:

• 285 open cases
• 235 positive RG decisions, 153 negative RG decisions and 23 decisions awaited (including 6 reconsiderations)
• 62 positive CG decisions and 72 negative CG decisions;
• 16 (RG) reconsideration request and 3 CG reconsideration requests;
• 256 outstanding CG decisions; and
• 552 cases closed during the period.

The average length of support for the 285 open cases was 5.7 months. The average length of support for the 552 closed cases was 5.5 months. In 2 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

Migrant Help issued 359 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in this period.

2024/2025 (1 April 2024-31 October 2024)

TARA supported 118 women in this period including 29 newly identified during the year.

18 women were provided with crisis accommodation and there were no repatriations or relocations within the UK during the period.

On 31 October 2024, TARA had:

• 90 open cases
• 82 positive RG decisions, 3 negative RG decisions and 5 decisions awaited (including 4 reconsiderations)
• 15 positive CG decisions and 2 negative CG decisions
• 14 (RG) reconsideration requests and one CG reconsideration request
• 59 outstanding CG decisions
• 28 cases closed during the period.

The average length of support for the 90 open cases was 12 months. The average length of support for the 28 closed cases was 24 months. In 15 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

TARA issued 40 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in period.

Migrant Help supported 771 clients in this period including 429 newly identified during the period.

153 of clients were provided with crisis accommodation and there were 5 repatriations or relocations within the UK during the period.

At 31 October 2024, Migrant Help had:

• 257 open cases
• 124 positive RG decisions, 134 negative RG decisions and 32 decisions awaited (including 2 reconsiderations)
• 85 positive CG decisions and 65 negative CG decisions
• 21 (RG) reconsideration requests, including 2 which were rejected and 6 CG reconsideration requests, including 1 which was rejected;
• 253 outstanding CG decisions; and
• 440 cases closed during the period.

The average length of support for the 257 open cases was 5.8 months. The average length of support for the 440 closed cases was 4.2 months. In 4 cases, ongoing support was required beyond the CG decision.

Migrant Help issued 327 smartphones, laptops or MiFi devices in period.

Number of trafficked or exploited children supported through the child protection system

This will be based on the returns already provided to the Scottish Government by local authorities

2021/2022 data: In April 2023, the Scottish Government published the Children’s Social Work Statistics: 2021 to 2022. The publication outlines the latest data on children and young people who are looked after, on the child protection register or in secure care in Scotland. The number for the child trafficking indicator is grouped within the “Other Concerns” category in the publication.

2022/2023 data: In April 2024, the Scottish Government published the Children’s Social Work Statistics: 2022 to 2023. The publication outlines the latest data on children who are subject to child protection processes. The number for the child trafficking indicator is grouped within the “Other Concerns” category in the publication.

2023/2024 data: In April 2025, the Scottish Government published the Children’s Social Work Statistics: 2023 to 2024. The publication outlines the latest data on children who are subject to child protection processes. The number for the child trafficking indicator is grouped within the “Other Concerns” category in the publication.

Number of children who are allocated an independent child trafficking guardian (ICTG)

Number of children who receive the support of an ICTG

2021-2023 data: The Scottish Guardianship Service provided additional support for children and young people who have been trafficked, and for whom no-one in the UK holds parental responsibilities.

At 31 March 2023, the Scottish Guardianship Service had 734 active cases supporting young people across Scotland.

Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, 191 children and young people were referred to the service, including 74 through the National Transfer Scheme. Between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, 384 children and young people were referred to the service, including 236 through the National Transfer Scheme.

The number of children arriving in Scotland has doubled between the 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 and 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023.

The Independent Child Trafficking Guardian service replaced the Scottish Guardianship Service on 1 April 2023.

Identify perpetrators and disrupt their activity

Number of individuals convicted for the offences

Persons convicted in that year under section 1 and section 4 of the 2015 Act and also under earlier legislation (section 22 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimaints etc.) Act 2004 and section 47 of the Criminal Justice Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010

Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, there were no convictions under the offences listed.

Between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, 3 persons were convicted under the offences listed.

Number of individuals convicted of offences with a human trafficking background

Convictions using the aggravations set out in sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Act in that year

Nil

Number of orders made under Part 4 of the Act

Orders made in that year using the powers in Part 4 of the Act

Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, no persons were made subject to Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Orders or Trafficking and Exploitation Risk Orders in terms of Part 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.

Between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, 4 persons were made subject to Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Orders and 2 persons were made subject to Trafficking and Exploitation Risk Orders in terms of Part 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.

Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, no persons were made subject to Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Orders or Trafficking and Exploitation Risk Orders in terms of Part 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024, 1 person was made subject to a Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Order and no persons were made subject to a Trafficking and Exploitation Risk Order in terms of Part 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.

Infrastructure and partnership working

Numbers of statutory bodies that have specific referral mechanisms for human trafficking and exploitation within their organisation and using them

Self-reporting through the Strategy Implementation Group

The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 places a duty on Scottish public authorities to notify the Chief Constable of Police Scotland about a person who is, or appears to be, a victim of an offence under the Act. Notifications must not contain any information which could identify individuals unless consent has been given to do so.

The public consultation in respect of the duty launched on 16 June 2019 and ended on 6 September 2019.

The analysis report for the public consultation on section 38 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015: Duty to notify and provide information about victims, was published on 30 April 2020. The report can be accessed here: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781839606908/

Numbers of statutory bodies that have specific referral mechanisms for human trafficking and exploitation within their organisation and using them

Self-reporting through the Strategy Implementation Group

Work is ongoing between Police Scotland and the Scottish Government in consideration of the practical implementation of the Duty to Notify (DTN) process in Scotland, which fulfils the objectives outlined in Section 38 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015. DTNs are currently received by Police Scotland on a voluntary basis from agencies such as Border Force, who use DTN in their work in England and Wales.

Number of organisations (statutory and non-statutory) within Scotland that have action plans or similar that contribute to delivering the overall aims of the Strategy

Self-reporting through the Stakeholder Forum arrangement

The Scottish Government consulted about an extension of Transparency in Supply Chains (TISC) requirements to Scottish public bodies between June and August 2022. A copy of the consultation can be viewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/extension-transparency-supply-chains-tisc-inclusion-scottish-public-bodies/

An analysis of the consultation responses was published in December 2022 and can be viewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/inclusion-scottish-public-bodies-transparency-supply-chains-tisc-consultation-analysis-consultation-report/pages/1/.

The vast majority of respondents supported the extension of TISC requirements to Scottish public bodies with a budget of £36m or more, although some concerns were raised about the resource implications of compliance with any legislative requirement. Although the previous UK Government paused work on TISC, the Scottish Government will continue to engage constructively with the new UK Government to progress this key preventative approach. The Scottish Government published its first Slavery and Human Trafficking statement in December 2023, setting out our continuing commitment to tackling slavery and human trafficking in any form.