PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Human Trafficking (22 November 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether transport and other expenses payments which his Department introduced on 1 November 2019 for all potential victims of trafficking in the adult victim care contract have started in all safe houses.

Asked by:
Dame Siobhain McDonagh (Labour)

In light of the judgment in K and AM, the Home Office has immediately reinstated the top up paid to those in the Victim Care Contract who are also receiving support from the asylum support system, so that they receive a total of £65 per week.

In consequence of the reinstatement of the top up paid to potential victims who are also receiving support from the asylum support system, the staged introduction of the scheme for further financial assistance and assistance with travel costs within the Victim Care Contract has been paused. These changes were intended to come into operation on 1 November 2018 for potential victims who were also receiving support from the asylum support system, and on 1 February 2019 for others in the Victim Care Contract.

We will work through the implications of the judgment in respect to our future approach to financial support. We are committed to reforming the National Referral Mechanism to ensure that as many victims of modern slavery as possible get the support they need.

Answered by:
Victoria Atkins (Conservative)
29 November 2018