Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential suitability of the private sector for delivering services under a Modern Slavery Victim Care contract.

The Government has robust internal assurance processes in place to manage and assure projects and programmes. The programme to procure a replacement for the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (Support for Victims of Modern Slavery (SVMS)) is following these assurance processes, which includes approval from and discussion with key Government Departments. The SVMS programme has also spoken to Cabinet Office throughout the preparations for going to market and as part of the approval processes.

The Home Office has undertaken a thorough market health assessment and conducted extensive supplier engagement for the SVMS programme, comprising a mix of Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and private sector organisations. The Home Office’s approach is to keep the opportunity open to different types of organisations – including charities and private sector - to ensure the Government harnesses the full range of capabilities across the supply chain delivering the best outcomes for victims of modern slavery. By adopting this approach, the SVMS programme will ensure it secures sustainable and resilient solutions that deliver economic and social value for UK taxpayers.

For further information on the Government’s project assurance process and business case development guidance please see here: The Green Book and accompanying guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).