Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 79
79
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 234
Increase safe accommodation provision for trafficking victims through Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government increases the provision of safe accommodation available through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract for trafficking victims, including single-sex provision, while they await a National Referral Mechanism decision.
Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to increasing safe accommodation provision, instead stating it remains committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation through existing Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) processes and monitoring capacity on a needs-basis.
Paragraph Reference:
234
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government remains committed to ensuring all potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery have secure and appropriate accommodation when they enter National Referral Mechanism (NRM) support. The Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) manages their pipeline of secure accommodation to meet the demands of the NRM system and those victims who require accommodation as part of their support package, including single sex provision where necessary. The Home Office contract managers monitor the portfolio as part of contract governance to ensure the MSVCC has appropriate capacity to meet demand. MSVCC accommodation is provided on a needs-basis. Many victims are already in suitable, secure, and appropriate accommodation when they enter NRM support, such as asylum accommodation, local authority accommodation or living in their own private accommodation or with friends or family. Where there is no risk to them remaining in existing accommodation they will usually remain there, unless a need for MSVCC accommodation is identified through the risk and needs assessment process outlined in Chapter 8 of the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance. This is the case for both British and foreign nationals. Where a need for MSVCC accommodation is identified, victims are provided secure and appropriate accommodation suitable for their needs. For example, if necessary, they are provided with single sex or family accommodation. MSVCC contractual accommodation standards are based on published guidance in the form of the Decent Homes standard in England and the Welsh Quality Homes Standard.