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 26 October 2017, Official Report, column 412, when the Department plans to align the arrangements for covering basic living costs with the arrangements in place for asylum seekers.

In 2016-17 and to date in 2017-18, the subsistence rates paid to adult potential victims of modern slavery was at the level initially tendered in the Adult Victims of Modern Slavery Care and Co-ordination Services Contract.

In October 2017, Government announced that it would change the level of financial support paid to potential victims of modern slavery, using the methodology that determines the subsistence rates paid to asylum seekers to ensure that individuals with comparable living needs receive the same level of support, regardless of their immigration status. There will be a higher level of support if victims are pregnant or have young children. The asylum rates are currently being reviewed so it is not possible to say how much they will be in 2018/19.

Victims will continue to receive dedicated and expert support, which is tailored to their unique needs as victims of modern slavery. This includes access to legal aid, counselling, NHS medical and dental services. This will ensure there is a fair and consistent approach for all individuals receiving similar government support. Furthermore, more money is being made available to treble the period of “move on” support, which will help people leaving victim support with their transition to other arrangements. It is essential that we target support to confirmed victims, at the point they need it most.