Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of victims of trafficking were referred to (a) legal and (b) housing support in each of the last five years.

Tackling human trafficking and modern slavery remains a top priority for this government and we are committed to stamping out this abhorrent crime.

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the system for identifying and providing support to victims of modern slavery.

Whilst in the NRM system, confirmed adult victims of modern slavery can access a minimum of 90 days specialist support including accommodation, subsistence, counselling, access to mental, physical and dental health services, and signposting to legal support. In England and Wales, this support is provided through the Victim Care Contract (VCC), which is currently operated by The Salvation Army.

Potential and confirmed victims receiving support through the VCC are provided with accommodation if this is needed and the victim has no access to alternative accommodation via other services. Victims requiring access to legal support are offered assistance and signposting by their support worker.

The Home Office does not record specific data on the proportion of victims signposted for legal support or referrals to housing support provided outside the VCC.