Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether EEA nationals who (a) have a positive reasonable grounds decision as a potential victim in the National Referral Mechanism and (b) have a positive conclusive grounds decision as a victim of trafficking or modern slavery, will be entitled to legal aid for immigration advice under paragraphs 32 and 32A of Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to make an application to (i) confirm their EU law rights and (ii) for Settled Status.

There is specific legal aid provision for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking for immigration advice and representation, including assistance with applications for leave to enter or remain, subject to means and merits.

The EU Settlement Scheme will provide a streamlined, user-friendly process, in line with the draft Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union published on 19 March 2018, for resident EU citizens and their family members to obtain the UK immigration status which they will require in order to remain in the UK beyond the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020. For those EU citizens who might need additional help when applying under the scheme, the Home Office has announced a grant scheme for the voluntary and community sector which will help to ensure support is available.