Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what provision he has made to deal with the potential increase in demand for capacity resulting from (a) victims having their support extended due to the interim guidance given as a result of the PK (Ghana) decision and (b) continued referrals into the National Referral Mechanism as a result of the PK (Ghana) decision; and whether additional financial resources have been made available for such potential increases.

The Home Office commissions The Salvation Army to provide a comprehensive package of support to potential victims of modern slavery referred into the National Referral Mechanism. This is delivered through a network of support providers throughout England and Wales.

Whilst we consider the implication of the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of (PK (Ghana) v SSHD), interim guidance has been issued to caseworkers to put on hold any refusals of discretionary leave to remain (DL) decisions for confirmed victims of modern slavery.

Grants of discretionary leave are continuing. This guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/interim-operation-guidance-discretionary-leave-for-victims-of-modern-slavery

In line with standard practice, support providers under the Victim Care Contract can seek an extension of support for confirmed victims who are awaiting a discretionary leave decision.

This service has been designed to accommodate both potential increases in the numbers of people requiring support and to provide extensions of care for those already in the system for as long as it is required.