Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he has taken to assess the effect of the alignment of subsistence rates provided to victims of modern slavery to those received by asylum seekers; and if he will publish an Equality Impact Assessment on that alignment.

The subsistence rates for victims of modern slavery are provided to cover the essential living needs of potential victims of modern slavery. It is essential that we target support to confirmed victims at the point they need it most. The overall amount of money available for victim support will not fall, but by making these changes 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.

When considering the level of these rates, the essential needs of potential victims were assessed to be comparable to the needs of asylum seekers. This is why the tested and established methodology that has been developed to measure the level of subsistence for asylum seekers will be adopted to measure the level of subsistence for potential victims of modern slavery. Where it has been identified that victims of slavery have needs above those of asylum seekers or have additional entitlements under the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings, these needs will continue to be met within the existing Adult Victims of Modern Slavery Care Contract.

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.

We are working closely with The Salvation Army and the Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner to ensure that the implementation of this change is as smooth as possible, and the Equalities Impact Assessment will be published when the process for the implementation of the alignment is announced.