Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to give all confirmed victims of slavery in the UK at least one year’s leave to remain with recourse to benefits and services.

Confirmed victims of modern slavery who do not qualify for leave to remain in another immigration route can be considered for a grant of Discretionary Leave to remain in the UK based on the particular circumstances of the individual case.

This can include needing to stay in the UK in order to pursue a claim for compensation against their traffickers, the need to assist with police enquiries or due to personal circumstances. Those granted Discretionary Leave have recourse to public funds and permission to work. Not all victims of modern slavery will wish to remain in the UK and so the Government is also committed to supporting those who wish to return home. The Home Office’s Voluntary Returns Service can assist victims of modern slavery to return home.