Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Bulletin Vol. 38

A regular digest of information and research related to human trafficking into and within the UK. Produced by the Research and Development Unit, on behalf of The Salvation Army’s Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery.

Contents 1.

Research, reports and journal articles 1.1 Child trafficking victims and legal guardians: Exploring the fulfilment of the EU trafficking directive in the context of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Best practice or not fit for purpose?

(March 2019) 1.2 Modern slavery response and recognition training (March 2019) 1.3 Utilising ‘modern slave’ narratives in social policy research (February 2019)

2.

Political and legislative 2.1 Parliamentary questions

3.

Campaigns and Initiatives 3.1 Anti-Slavery - Protect Not Neglect (March 2019) 3.2 The Sun – Stamp Out Slavery (February 2019)

4.

In the news 4.1 Charity launches super-complaint against police for treating slavery victims as criminals 4.2 Six children saved from sex slavery in NI 4.3 County lines gangs believed responsible for surge in trafficked British children 4.4 Modern slavery cases ‘rise by over a third’

1.

Research, reports and journal articles

1.1 Child trafficking victims and legal guardians: Exploring the fulfilment of the EU trafficking directive in the context of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Best practice or not fit for purpose? (March 2019) This article considers the extent to which the protection of child trafficking victims, under the jurisdiction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, is sufficient to fulfil the legal positive obligations imposed by EU law. The authors argue that fully effective enforcement requires further efforts in policy to ensure that these legal obligations are implemented in practice. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2032284419836510 1.2 Modern slavery response and recognition training (March 2019) This article outlines the effectiveness of conducting teaching sessions with undergraduate medical students in recognising modern slavery. Overall, the teaching sessions

4.5 Two arrests in Cumbrian village as part of ‘modern slavery’ probe 4.6 Businesses urged to ‘do more’ to win public contracts 4.7 Rooney family slavery gang ordered to pay victims £1m 4.8 Modern slavery operation in Ipswich: Seven arrests 4.9 Police chief appointed to anti-slavery role 4.10 Clacton: Bernard, Saimir and Adriatik Leshi cleared of modern slavery 4.11 McDonnell backs activist who said Jews financed slavery 4.12 Pair made housemate slave sleep under stairs ‘like Harry Potter’ amid horrific campaign of abuse 4.13 Grooming scandal police chief appointed to lead UK’s fight against modern slavery 4.14 Father and son accused of modern slavery in Neath Port Talbot 4.15 Neath men charged with modern slavery offence 4.16 Thousands of suspected modern slavery victims waiting more than a year for decision from Home Office 4.17 Human trafficking: Victims ‘stuck in limbo for years’ 4.18 Home Office announces repayment for slavery victims after it unlawfully cut their support 4.19 Gangs are exploiting a legal loophole to recruit children as ‘county lines’ drug mules

appeared to be successful in raising the students’ awareness of an increasingly common problem in the UK, helping to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively identify and safely manage consultations involving potential victims of modern slavery. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13011 1.3 Utilising ‘modern slave’ narratives in social policy research (February 2019) This paper makes the case for the primary and secondary analysis of ‘slave narratives’ which provide experiential and agential accounts by those directly harmed by forced labour, coerced sex work, and other forms of exploitation.

Analysis of a narrative interview with Sean, a (citizen-) victim of forced labour, proved under s.71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, depicts the multifaceted nature of labour exploitation and its multiple, severe, and longlasting harms. The paper concludes with implications for intervention. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/100131/

This bulletin covers material produced during the period 1 January to 31 March 2019 although it should be noted that, due to space limitations, not all relevant material may have been included. The bulletin includes links to material and sources and is provided by way of information. The information included is not necessarily endorsed or supported by The Salvation Army.

2.

Political and legislative

2.1 Parliamentary questions The following section, drawn from the Hansard Commons debates, covers responses to parliamentary questions asked by MPs, in reverse chronological order.

Oral answers 27 March A series of statements on modern slavery and victim support led by Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green; Con) https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-03-27/ debates/EDF7F51F-F810-4AEF-B618-BC1F5EC2034F/ ModernSlaveryAndVictimSupport 19 March A series of questions related to child sexual exploitation and criminal records in connection to an ongoing court case. Initial question raised by Louise Haigh (Sheffield, Heely; Lab). https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-03-19/ debates/164DC4CA-84BB-4B2D-BFCF-9929059E9D9D/ ChildSexualExploitationVictimsCriminalRecords 6 February A series of statements related to the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford raised by Lucy Allan (Telford; Con). https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-02-06/ debates/19020632000002/ IndependentInquiryIntoChildSexualExploitationTelford Written answers 27 March Patrick Grady (Glasgow North; SNP): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of issuing settled status documentation as proof of status to successful applicants of the EU settlement scheme.

Caroline Nokes (Minister for State [Home Office, Immigration]): The Home Office will not issue a physical document to EU citizens granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Those granted status under the scheme will be given a digital status, as part of moving the UK immigration system to digital by default. The future border and immigration system will make use of the latest digital technology to improve customer experience, increase security and detect abuse.

EU citizens granted status under the scheme can access information about their immigration status and entitlements via a secure online service. Individuals will control who they wish to share this with to demonstrate their status and to exercise their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. With online services, we can ensure that checkers see only the information that is relevant and proportionate to their need. Using a physical document as evidence of status, as has been the practice to date, does none of this.

It can also cause significant problems when documents are lost, stolen, damaged, expired or in the process of being renewed. Physical documents are also far more open to forgery and fraud, something we must seek to avoid. Additionally, there are individuals whose documents are controlled by others – for example, in cases of domestic violence, modern slavery and human trafficking. Moving to an online status is a step forward in tackling those who seek to control others. A digital status is also much easier to use for visually impaired and dyslexic users who may have difficulty reading a physical document.

25 March Jim Cunningham (Coventry South; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to increase the (a) amount and (b) quality of modern slavery training provided to police officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to increase the (a) amount and (b) quality of modern slavery training provided to police officers.

Victoria Atkins (Parliamentary Under-Secretary [Home Office]): The Government has made £8.5m of additional funding available from the Police Transformation Fund to support the establishment of the Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme. This programme has developed a range of bespoke training courses which are accredited by the College of Policing. These include general awareness courses for the frontline to detailed training packages for senior investigators leading complex modern slavery investigations.

Since 2017, around 6,200 specialist modern slavery training days have been delivered by the programme to more than 4,000 police officers and staff. All forces in England and Wales have participated. This formal training is supported by a programme of workshops and development events with participation from across all police forces.

18 March Lyn Brown (West Ham; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the March 2019 editorial in Archives of Disease in Childhood entitled ‘Charging undocumented migrant children for NHS healthcare: implications for child health’.

Stephen Hammond (Minister of State [Department of Health and Social Care]): The Department has no plans to make an assessment of the policy implications of the March 2019 editorial in Archives of Disease in Childhood entitled ‘Charging undocumented migrant children for NHS healthcare: implications for child health’.

The National Health Service is a residency-based healthcare system, with a requirement to be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom in order to access NHSfunded healthcare. Providers of relevant NHS services are required to make and recover charges from overseas visitors where relevant services have been provided to them and no exemption applies.

Asylum seekers, refugees and children looked after by a local authority are all exempt from charging, as are victims, and suspected victims, of modern slavery and their children. Children will never themselves be expected to demonstrate their eligibility to free NHS healthcare. The parent or guardian of the child should expect to provide evidence that they and the child are ordinarily resident in the UK, or otherwise that an exemption category applies to the child, which usually stems from an exemption that the parent has. Where a non-resident child is being treated their parent or guardian will be liable to pay for their NHS care where no exemption applies.

15 March Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training detention gatekeepers receive on indicators of trafficking or modern slavery.

Caroline Nokes: The Detention Gatekeeper function is part of the Immigration Enforcement Directorate within the Home Office. The recruitment, oversight and management of those staff is consistent with employment of all other Home Office staff as set out in the within the Civil Service recruitment process.

All staff within the Detention Gatekeeper function, like all those in the Home Office involved in detained casework, are provided with appropriate training for their roles. This includes, but is not limited to, training around Modern Slavery, the National Referrals Mechanism process and the Adults at Risk in Detention policy.

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether immigration removal centre staff receive training on indicators of trafficking and modern slavery; and what information is covered in that training.

Caroline Nokes: Home Office staff working in all immigration removal centres receive training on identifying vulnerable adults, and to act as first responders to identify and refer potential victims of trafficking or modern slavery to the National Referral Mechanism.

Home Office supplier staff have a duty to highlight to the Home Office any detainee who they consider to be an adult at risk, including potential victims of trafficking or modern slavery, so that appropriate action can be taken.

Training on the adults at risk in immigration detention policy has been provided to IRC staff, including healthcare staff and other staff who come into contact with detainees.

13 March Jeff Hammond (Manchester, Withington; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to his Department’s Interim Assessment of the first year of the Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTA) service, what assessment he has made of the merits of expanding the ICTA scheme to all unaccompanied and separated children.

Victoria Atkins: The ICTA service was rolled out in three early adopter sites in Greater Manchester, Hampshire and Wales in January 2017 with an additional £2m invested to expand the ICTA provision into West Midlands, East Midlands and Croydon. This will mean the service will be available in one third of all local authorities by April 2019.

Unaccompanied children are looked after by the relevant local authority and are entitled to the same services as any other looked-after child. Under these arrangements, unaccompanied children will have a professional social worker and an independent reviewing officer to oversee their care arrangements. All unaccompanied asylumseeking children in England are referred to the Refugee Council’s Children’s Panel and they are also entitled to legal assistance in pursuing their asylum claim.

The Government believes that these arrangements ensure unaccompanied children are provided with the independent and tailored support and advice that they need.

Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which makes provisions for ICTAs, is being considered in the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act led by Frank Field MP, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Maria Miller MP. The Government will carefully consider their recommendations, including any recommendations for the national rollout of ICTAs. 8 March Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire; Con): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that any future changes to immigration policy do not lead to a rise in forced labour.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery in all sectors, including construction, which is why is we reformed the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), giving it a wider remit and police powers to investigate labour market offences across all sectors of the economy.

The construction sector has been the focus of increased enforcement activity by the GLAA and other agencies over the last 12 months, with over 20 investigations resulting in several arrests. The GLAA has also established a Construction Protocol in partnership with the industry to protect vulnerable workers and raise awareness of modern slavery.

The Government is also using other levers to tackle modern slavery in the sector. Businesses operating in the UK with a turnover above £36m are required to publish annual transparency statements detailing the steps they are taking to address modern slavery in their supply chains.

The Home Office is hosting a conference on 27 March to share good practice on tackling modern slavery in public procurement, focusing on high-risk sectors for public sector buyers, including construction.

The protection of all persons from forced labour and modern slavery offences remains a key priority for the

Government and will of course be taken into account in the development of future immigration policy through engagement with key representative and law enforcement bodies, the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, consultations and impact assessments.

victims of modern slavery identified in detention will be referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and will be released following a positive reasonable grounds decision, unless there are public order considerations to justify their detention.

Those with lawful immigration status permitting them to work in the UK enjoy full protection under labour market legislation when they engage in employment.

Immigration Enforcement will take action against rogue businesses who exploit illegal workers under powers provided in the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and Immigration Act 2016.

Those who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision to the effect that they are a victim of modern slavery under the NRM, but who have no leave to remain in the UK, may be detained in order to effect their removal.

However, they will be regarded as vulnerable in the terms of the Home Office’s adults at risk in immigration detention policy (AAR). This means that such individuals will be detained, or their detention continued, only when the evidence of their vulnerability is outweighed by the immigration considerations in their particular case, including likely date of removal, compliance with immigration law and public protection.

11 February Jess Phillips (Birmingham, Yardley; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of whether the UK’s obligations under Articles 12 and 13 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking and Article 11 of Directive 2011/36/EU can be met for potential victims of trafficking who are detained in immigration detention centres.

Caroline Nokes: The necessary assistance and support, including medical treatment, information and interpretation services are available in immigration removal centres to fulfil the UK’s obligations under Articles 12 and 13 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking and Article 11 of Directive 2011/36/ EU. However, under current Government policy, potential victims of modern slavery identified in detention will be referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and will be released following a positive reasonable grounds decision, unless there are public order considerations to justify their detention.

Those who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision to the effect that they are a victim of modern slavery under the NRM, but who have no leave to remain in the UK, may be detained in order to effect their removal.

However, they will be regarded as vulnerable in the terms of the Home Office’s adults at risk in immigration detention policy (AAR). This means that such individuals will be detained, or their detention continued, only when the evidence of their vulnerability is outweighed by the immigration considerations in their particular case, including likely date of removal, compliance with immigration law and public protection.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether people who have been identified as potential victims of human trafficking or modern slavery during immigration detention and who have then received reasonable conclusive grounds under the National Referral Mechanism are released on receipt of that grounds decision.

Caroline Nokes: The necessary assistance and support, including medical treatment, information and interpretation services are available in immigration removal centres to fulfil the UK’s obligations under Articles 12 and 13 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking and Article 11 of Directive 2011/36/ EU. However, under current Government policy, potential

7 February Sir John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings; Con): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the correlation between legal pornography, people trafficking and sexual slavery; and if he will make a statement.

Victoria Atkins: The Government has not conducted any assessments to the link between legal pornography, people trafficking and sexual slavery.

The Government Equalities Office are commissioning qualitative research to look into any relationship between porn and attitudes to women. This research is due to be completed this Summer 2019.

The Government has commissioned a research project into the prevalence and nature of prostitution in England and Wales; to inform the evidence base before any changes are made to policy and legislation in respect of prostitution. This independent research is being led by the University of Bristol and we anticipate receiving their report in the Spring of this year.

6 February Frank Field (Birkenhead; Independent): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many survivors of modern slavery making a claim for employment and support allowance have undergone a Work Capability Assessment; and of those claimants, how many were (a) placed in the Support Group, (b) placed in the Work Related Activity Group and (c) found Fit For Work.

Sarah Newton (Truro & Falmouth; Con): The information requested is not available; however, we have agreed to explore options for improving the process of data collection in collaboration with the SSAC to consider how current practices could be enhanced, and to publish a report on our joint conclusions.

For survivors of modern slavery, the Department for Work and Pensions’ main role is to ensure those who are entitled to support receive it. Where a claimant indicates that they are a victim of crime (including trafficking or modern slavery) and they feel that this will adversely

affect their ability to meet the conditions of entitlement to benefits, they are supported by the same Jobcentre Plus adviser or work coach for each appointment. As each victim will be affected in a different way, advisers and work coaches use their discretion to tailor support based on individual conversations they have had with the claimant.

DWP are keen to continue to work closely with the Home Office and other organisations to improve the support available to victims, and we have put in place training and awareness raising for front-line staff enabling them to direct victims, at the earliest opportunity, to agencies that are able to support them. Work coaches use discretion to tailor support and offer greater flexibility on work requirements. DWP is sensitive to the challenges faced by victims of this terrible crime.

We provide a tailored service that recognises those with complex needs at any point throughout their journey and ensures appropriate support is quickly made available: a fundamental principle in the delivery of Universal Credit (UC). UC continues to support victims of domestic abuse to claim benefits through a range of measures. These include same day advances and signposting to expert third-party support. As it can be difficult for individuals facing domestic abuse to come forward, all work coaches undergo mandatory training in how to support vulnerable claimants including recognising the signs of domestic abuse. By summer 2019, we will have implemented domestic abuse specialists in every Jobcentre to further raise awareness of domestic abuse, and support work coaches.

5 February Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure that social workers are adequately trained to respond to cases of trafficked children that subsequently go missing, and (b) improve the recording and reporting practices by local authorities on trafficked children.

Nadhim Zahawi (Parliamentary Under-Secretary [Department for Education]): On 1 November 2017, the Government published revised and expanded statutory guidance for local authorities on the care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery, which sets out the training and awareness requirements for all those involved in the care of these vulnerable children. This guidance is available to social workers along with the statutory guidance on children who go missing from care, and practice guidance on children who may have been trafficked. Local authorities are best placed to then ensure that social workers receive the training they need to meet the needs of children locally.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 introduced a duty to local authorities to refer all child victims of trafficking or modern slavery into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s system for identify and supporting victims. A referral into this system enables accurate recording and reporting by the Home Office on a quarterly basis. As part of NRM reform the Government is conducting a review of how first responders should be

trained. This will include understanding how to support all first responders in making these referrals which will support improved recording and reporting.

31 January Alex Norris (Nottingham North; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2019 to Question 211929, what steps his Department is taking to contact people affected who will have received a final stage National Referral Mechanism conclusive grounds decision and whose support will have ended.

Victoria Atkins: Government is making every effort to pay back everyone affected by the contract changes in March 2018. We recognise that some individuals will have left government-funded services and integrated into communities in the UK and overseas and so may be harder for government to contact than others that are still in support services.

On 24 January 2019, personalised letters were sent out to all those we identified as being affected and eligible for repayments. For those still in support, the letters detailed how much and how they will be paid. For those who have left support, the letters explained how to apply for these payments.

If an individual believes they are eligible but did not receive a letter, they can complete an application form on gov.uk. There is no closing date for when people can apply for back payments if they think they are eligible.

Further information is available on gov.uk (https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-subsistence-rates-backpayment-victims-of-modern-slavery).

We are working with stakeholders to raise awareness of the gov.uk page and the letters that were sent out to those identified.

30 January Gareth Snell (Stoke-on-Trent Central; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to respond to the recommendations of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Review: Second Interim Report, published on 22 January 2019, and whether he intends to accept the findings in the report.

Victoria Atkins: The Home Office will formally respond to the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act, following submission of its final report and recommendations to the Home Secretary by the end of March 2019.

28 January Catherine West (Hornsey & Wood Green; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing an independent guardian or advocate to all unaccompanied children as a means of (a) assisting them with disclosures of modern slavery and (b) preventing them from being exploited or going missing.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is committed to rolling independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTAs) out

nationally. Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which makes provisions for ICTAs, is being considered in the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act, led by Frank Field MP, Maria Miller MP, and Baroness Butler-Sloss. The aim of the review is to identify where the act is working well, what can be improved in the implementation of the Act and whether specific areas of the legislation need to be strengthened.

The Government will carefully consider any recommendations about ICTAs which come out of the Review ahead of national rollout.

Unaccompanied children are looked after by the relevant local authority and are entitled to the same services as any other looked after child. Under these arrangements, unaccompanied children will have a professional social worker and an independent reviewing officer to oversee their care arrangements.

In addition, all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in England are referred to the Refugee Council’s Children’s Advice Project and they are also entitled to legal assistance in pursuing their asylum claim. The Government believes that these arrangements ensure unaccompanied children are provided with the independent support and advice that they need.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2019 to Question 208875 on Asylum: Children, what independent support his Department provides to a child when a social care team carries out an age assessment test on them.

Caroline Nokes: When there is doubt about the age of an asylum seeker, they will be referred to a local authority for a Merton compliant age assessment — they are treated as a child whilst the outcome is awaited.

In the case of potential victims of trafficking who have been allocated an Independent Child Trafficking Advocate (ICTA), they will remain entitled to an ICTA and support under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 while their age remains in doubt.

The Home Office and, if applicable, the ICTA support the local authority age assessment by ensuring that all relevant information is made available to the local authority to support the assessment. Whilst the local authority may take into account information obtained by the Home Office to inform their assessment, they will come to their own conclusion in accordance with case law.

have applied for a subsistence rate back payment and (b) are yet to apply for a back payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of victims of slavery who are due a subsistence rate back payment are no longer receiving support through the asylum system.

Victoria Atkins: Government is making every effort to pay back everyone affected by the subsistence rate contract changes for asylum-seeking victims of modern slavery made in March 2018.

Based on the current data, we have identified 1,208 potential victims of trafficking that have been affected and are entitled to back payments. 989 of those affected are still in both National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and asylum support, 150 are no longer in NRM support but are still in asylum support, and 69 are no longer in either NRM or asylum support.

On 24 January 2019, personalised letters were sent out to all those we identified as being affected and eligible for repayments. For those still in support, the letters detailed how much and how they will be paid. For those who have left support, the letters explained how to apply for these payments.

If an individual believes they are eligible but does not receive a letter, they can complete an application form on gov.uk. There is no closing date for when people can apply for back payments if they think they are eligible.

Further information is available on gov.uk (https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-subsistence-rates-backpayment-victims-of-modern-slavery).

We are not releasing the number of people who have already applied through the application form on gov.uk as this is an ongoing process and we will be working with these individuals to ensure those who are eligible are paid.

24 January Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South & Penarth; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with Police and Crime Commissioners across the country on protecting the rights of victims of modern slavery against criminal conviction.

Victoria Atkins: The Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC’s) have a national anti-trafficking and modern slavery network, where members of the group meet regularly with representatives from the Home Office and law enforcement agencies.

In addition, the Home Office also provides independent support to all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in England through the Refugee Council’s Children’s Advice Project. The Project’s role is to assist children through the asylum process and their interactions with central and local government organisations.

Although no recent discussions have taken place, this issue has been previously highlighted at the national network for PCC’s and at the recent Home Affairs Select Committee evidence session on modern slavery. This was also due to be discussed at a recent meeting between the Home Secretary and PCC Mark Burns-Williamson, which was cancelled.

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many victims of slavery who are no longer receiving support through the asylum system (a)

23 January Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department has taken to

ensure that survivors of modern slavery are aware of the repayment scheme for victims of modern slavery who received asylum support in England and Wales between 1 March and 8 November 2018.

Victoria Atkins: Government is making every effort to ensure those affected are aware of the back-payment scheme.

We will be sending out personalised letters to all those affected, notifying them of the amount they are entitled to and when they will receive the payment. If an individual believes they are eligible but does not receive a letter, they can complete an application form. Further information is available on gov.uk (https://www.gov. uk/guidance/claim-a-subsistence-rates-backpaymentvictims-of-modern-slavery).

We are also working with NRM support providers and other stakeholders to ensure as many victims as possible are aware of this process.

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he has taken to improve the process of securing a conviction under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Victoria Atkins: The Prime Minister has convened a taskforce to co-ordinate the response across Government to this complex crime.

Following this, the Government has provided £8.5m of additional funding to the police in England and Wales to help improve the front-line response to tackling modern slavery. Aligned to this activity, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has delivered mandatory accredited training for all prosecutors who work on modern slavery cases and have appointed a Chief Crown Prosecutor lead for modern slavery work across the CPS. CPS training has a strong focus on the provision of early investigative advice to police forces so that charges may be made under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Through the Serious Violence Strategy we have provided £3.6 million over the next two years to establish a new National County Lines Co-ordination Centre. The NCLCC was launched on 21 September 2018.

The NCLCC will help bring the law enforcement effort together as the links behind county lines are complicated and the threat crosses police force boundaries. The NCLCC will support operational policing as well as providing a central point at which intelligence and information is shared and the links with criminal exploitation and illegal drugs markets are identified.

it would roll out the service to eligible children in one third of local authorities in England and Wales by April 2019.

The Government is committed to rolling ICTAs out nationally. Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which makes provisions for ICTAs, is being considered in the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act, led by Frank Field MP, Maria Miller MP, and Baroness Butler-Sloss. The Government will carefully consider any recommendations about ICTAs which come out of the Review ahead of any national rollout.

Local authorities play a pivotal role in the safeguarding of all children in their care, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences. It is absolutely right that local authorities continue to make decisions about the placement and welfare of children, which includes ensuring they have access to suitable accommodation. To support this, in addition to the national rollout of ICTAs, we have revised statutory guidance on the care of unaccompanied children and child victims of modern slavery and funded 1,000 additional training places for foster carers and support workers.

3.

Campaigns and initiatives

3.1 Anti-Slavery — Protect Not Neglect (March 2019) https://www.antislavery.org/protect-not-neglectpetition-delivery/ 3.2 The Sun — Stamp Out Slavery (February 2019) https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8273063/domesticslave/

4.

In the News

4.1 Charity launches super-complaint against police for treating slavery victims as criminals Telegraph.co.uk, 24 Mar https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/25/ charity-launches-super-complaint-against-policetreating-slavery/ 4.2 Six children saved from sex slavery in NI BBC News, 20 Mar https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northernireland-47635580

Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East; Lab): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans his Department has to make specialist support and accommodation for trafficked children available under the National Referral Mechanism.

4.3 County lines gangs believed responsible for surge in trafficked British children The Independent, 19 Mar https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/childtrafficking-county-lines-ganges-exploitation-modernslavery-minors-home-office-drugs-a8830396.html

Victoria Atkins: Independent Child Trafficking Advocates (ICTAs) are a source of specialist support for trafficked children. In July 2018, the Government announced that

4.4 Modern slavery cases ‘rise by over a third’ BBC News, 15 Mar https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47582353

4.5 Two arrests in Cumbrian village as part of ‘modern slavery’ probe ITV News, 12 Mar https://www.itv.com/news/border/2019-03-12/twoarrests-in-cumbrian-village-as-part-of-modern-slaveryprobe/ 4.6 Businesses urged to ‘do more’ to win public contracts BBC News, 10 Mar https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47518333 4.7 Rooney family slavery gang ordered to pay victims £1m BBC News, 1 Mar https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englandlincolnshire-47419366 4.8 Modern slavery operation in Ipswich: Seven arrests BBC News, 28 Feb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englandsuffolk-47400600 4.9 Police chief appointed to anti-slavery role BBC News, 22 Feb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47333314 4.10 Clacton: Bernard, Saimir and Adriatik Leshi cleared of modern slavery BBC News, 11 Feb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englandessex-47200462 4.11 McDonnell backs activist who said Jews financed slavery The Times, 9 Feb https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mcdonnell-backsactivist-who-said-jews-financed-slavery-qnllglsp0 4.12 Pair made housemate slave sleep under stairs ‘like Harry Potter’ amid horrific campaign of abuse The Independent, 8 Feb https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/ modern-slavery-bristol-court-case-trial-ion-bobocchristiana-tudor-dobre-a8769296.html

4.13 Grooming scandal police chief appointed to lead UK’s fight against modern slavery The Independent, 3 Feb https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ uk-modern-slavery-tsar-home-office-sara-thorntonpolice-thames-valley-oxfordd-grooming-kevinhyland-a8760881.html 4.14 Father and son accused of modern slavery in Neath Port Talbot BBC News, 2 Feb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47102790 4.15 Neath men charged with modern slavery offence BBC News, 1 Feb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47097475 4.16 Thousands of suspected modern slavery victims waiting more than a year for decision from Home Office The Independent, 22 Jan https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ modern-slavery-human-trafficking-home-office-delaysdecision-case-nrm-a8739911.html 4.17 Human trafficking: Victims ‘stuck in limbo for years’ BBC News, 21 Jan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46945352 4.18 Home Office announces repayment for slavery victims after it unlawfully cut their support The Independent, 17 Jan https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ home-office-modern-slavery-support-high-money-courtsubsistence-rates-a8733336.html 4.19 Gangs are exploiting a legal loophole to recruit children as ‘county lines’ drug mules Daily Mail, 15 Jan https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6595941/ Gangs-tell-drug-mules-cite-modern-slavery-laws.html

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