Question to the Home Office:

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.

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.

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.