Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of victims of human trafficking rescued in the UK during 2016 have been allowed to remain in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

All potential victims of modern slavery are eligible for support through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), but not all of those confirmed as victims of modern slavery will require permission to remain in the UK. Some potential victims are British Citizens, others will already have valid leave to remain in the UK or will be EEA nationals exercising Treaty Rights. Many victims who do not have an automatic or pre-existing right to remain in the UK also claim asylum.

Some of them will be granted leave to remain if eligible for international protection. Where appropriate, confirmed victims of modern slavery can also 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 or the need to assist with police enquiries. An overall figure for the proportion of confirmed victims of modern slavery allowed to remain in the UK could only be provided at disproportionate cost by examination of individual records.