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Today's King's Speech confirmed what we feared: another Immigration and Asylum Bill, another year of policies that will make life harder for the people who need protection the most. Over the past decade, the UK has introduced new immigration or asylum legislation almost every year, yet fundamental problems remain unresolved.

The Home Office has updated its Modern Slavery guidance to clarify how decision makers in the National Referral Mechanism should consider ‘disclosure’ when and how a potential victim first reveals or reports experiences of exploitation or abuse) when assessing the credibility of a trafficking or modern slavery claim. HBF is extremely concerned about these changes.

People seeking asylum in the UK are often placed in unsuitable Home Office accommodation that harms their physical and mental health. Requests to move are frequently denied, even when supported by strong medical evidence. Decisions rely heavily on desk-based assessments, raising serious concerns about the treatment, safety, and dignity of people fleeing violence and persecution.