Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many victims of modern slavery have had their weekly allowance reduced from (a) £65 to £37.75 and (b) £65 to £17.

Currently, potential victims of modern slavery who are supported through the Adult Victims of Modern Slavery Care Contract usually receive £65 per week to cover their subsistence needs.

Some modern slavery victims are also asylum seekers and in normal circumstances, this group is supported under separate arrangements provided for in Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Asylum seekers receiving support under these arrangements usually receive £37.75 per week to cover their essential needs, the amount provided for in the Asylum Support Regulations 2000.

No published figures are available, but a single person with no dependants, previously supported under the Care Contract but who has transferred to support under Part 6 of the 1999 Act, is likely to be receiving £37.75 per week. Lower amounts are provided only if the person has access to other income or assets liable to be taken into consideration under the 2000 Regulations.

Plans to fully harmonise the subsistence rates provided to modern slavery victims with the rates provided to asylum seekers were announced in October last year and the implementation plans are currently being developed. The changes will result in reductions to the rates for adults, but increases for their dependent children and additional support for those leaving the support system after final confirmation of whether they are victim of modern slavery.

Victims will also continue to receive other support separately, including legal aid, counselling, NHS medical and dental service.