Peer: Govt must not undermine support for trafficking victims

A Conservative Peer has urged UK Ministers not to undermine support and protections for victims of modern slavery through controversial immigration proposals.

Lord McColl of Dulwich expressed concern that the Nationality and Borders Bill, as it currently drafted, threatens victim entitlements. He has lodged an amendment to guarantee proper support.

Writing in Politics Home this week, Lord McColl said:

"The Nationality and Borders Bill (NBB) contains provisions on human trafficking and modern slavery. At present, these provisions leave victims of exploitation short of the help they need. The government is wriggling out of an opportunity to provide 12 months of statutory support to genuine victims on the face of the Bill – despite acknowledging this is the minimum level of support needed. And it is refusing to guarantee a temporary right to remain for confirmed victims who hail from other nations who need to access this support.

"On Tuesday, I will be tabling an amendment to resolve these serious omissions which I am pleased to say has support from colleagues across the political spectrum. Providing long-term support to victims provides them with sufficient certainty to underpin their recovery, prevent their re-trafficking and to ensure they have the security from which to engage with the police and prosecutors to bring their perpetrators to justice. This would lead to increased prosecutions and convictions; something we all want to see."

He added:

"What I will be arguing for this week ought not to be a matter of controversy. The UK is a compassionate nation that already supports victims of injustice by law. It is a welcoming nation that supports foreign nationals who need refuge. The Government has a chance to reaffirm its commitment to these values. I urge them to take it."

CARE has argued for the same provisions being sought by Lord McColl in collaboration with other anti-trafficking and modern slavery groups.

This week, CARE and ten other organisations were signatories to an open letter urging changes to the bill. Published in The Telegraph, the letter states:

"[The Nationality and Borders Bill] threatens to diminish protections for victims of trafficking and modern slavery, including statutory support, and a legal right to remain. It must not. It cannot. For the sake of Ukrainians, and many other vulnerable people seeking refuge on our shores.

"We call on the government to accept the recommendations of expert groups by legislating for at least 12 months of statutory support for confirmed victims of modern slavery and leave to remain for those who need to access it. We must act now to ensure proper support for both current and future victims of modern slavery."