Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on ensuring that adult survivors of modern slavery are able to access further and higher education.

We recognise that modern slavery is extremely serious, and we strive to ensure that our policies are able to support survivors to move forward in their lives.

While the Home Office is responsible for determining an individual’s immigration status, the Department for Education is responsible for setting the criteria for accessing 16-19 and adult (19+) education and higher education funding.

The criteria for accessing 16-19 and adult education are set out in funding rules, which further education providers refer to when assessing eligibility. Depending on individual circumstances, survivors of modern slavery who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to access further education. Officials at the Department for Education, working with Home Office officials, regularly keep these rules under review. They do everything possible to ensure that those who are entitled to access further education can do so without unnecessary bureaucracy.

Similarly, eligibility for higher education student support is set out in the relevant regulations. It depends on a number of factors, including immigration status. Generally, to be eligible for higher education student support, a student should be resident in England, have ‘settled’ status or have 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 to the start of the course. Residence in the UK and Islands must not have been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.