Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his policy is on the eligibility of survivors of modern slavery for publicly-funded education; what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the application of the Immigration Rules to institutions which provide education for survivors of modern slavery; and if he will make a statement.

Under international law, all children have the right to an education. Children and young people who are the survivors of modern slavery will normally be in local authority care while their immigration status is under consideration.

Such ‘looked-after children’ must be given highest priority for admission to English state-funded schools and young people in this situation are eligible for funding for 16-19 education or training in England.

To meet the eligibility requirements for student support for higher education in England, a student should normally be resident in England, have ‘settled’ status or a recognised connection with the UK and have been a resident of the UK and Islands (Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) for the three years prior at the start of the course. Exceptions are made for students who have been granted refugee status following a successful asylum claim, including the proportion of that group who have been confirmed as victims of modern slavery.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State regularly meets Cabinet colleagues to discuss a variety of issues.