To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to deal with illegal immigrants who are forced to work in brothels or used for pickpocketing.
Answered on
26 February 2015
Regardless of an individual’s immigration status, all victims of human trafficking are entitled to support and assistance. This support, provided through the National Referral Mechanism, includes appropriate and safe accommodation, material assistance (including financial assistance), assistance in obtaining healthcare services, and access to translation and interpretation services.
The Government published a review of the National Referral Mechanism in November 2014, which called for wide ranging reforms to the identification and support of victims, including the extension of support to all victims of modern slavery. The Home Office has accepted all recommendations in principle and will establish pilots to test the recommendations as part of a planned implementation of these changes.
The Government is determined to stamp out modern slavery and has outlined its comprehensive approach to achieve this aim in the Modern Slavery Strategy, published in November 2014.The Modern Slavery Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, will give law enforcement the tools to tackle modern slavery, ensure that perpetrators can receive suitably severe sentences for these appalling crimes, and enhance support and protection for victims.