Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research her Department has undertaken on the potential merits of adopting the Swedish model of prosecuting people who pay for sex.

The Home Office has examined different legislative approaches to prostitution around the world, including the ‘Nordic Model’ adopted by Sweden. However, we have not yet seen unequivocal evidence that any alternative approach is better at tackling harm and exploitation – and that remains our priority.

As set out in our response to the Home Affairs Select Committee report into prostitution, the Government recognises the strong arguments for commissioning a research project into the prevalence and nature of prostitution in England and Wales and believes that such an evidence base is vital prior to considering any further changes to policy and legislation.

We have provided £150,000 to the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales to commission this research and we intend to announce the successful applicant soon.