Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of 27 October 2017, Official Report, column. 512, what consultation has taken place on the single expert unit to be created in her Department to make decisions on whether a person is a victim of modern slavery.

On 26 October 2017 the Government announced its plans for reform of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) confirming the Government’s commitment to markedly improving the identification of, and support provided to, victims of modern slavery. This includes the creation of a new, single expert case work unit that is separate from the immigration system. The Modern Slavery Unit in the Home Office is working closely with the Competent Authorities to ensure a smooth transition to the single unit.

Detailed implementation plans for the reform programme are currently being developed, including in respect of the single casework unit and further information will be announced in due course.