Nationality and Borders Bill — Before Clause 64 — Confirmed Victims in England and Wales: Assistance and Support — 20 Apr 2022 at 17:48

The majority of MPs voted not to guarantee confirmed victims of slavery or human trafficking the ability to stay in the United Kingdom and receive support and assistance for a year, instead leaving it up to the government to determine if it is necessary on a case by case basis.

MPs were considering the Nationality and Borders Bill.^[1][2][3]

The motion supported by the majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 26B

Lords amendment 26B began:^[4]

• Leave out Clause 64 and insert—
• “Conclusive grounds: support and leave to remain for victims of slavery or human trafficking
• After section 50A of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 insert—
• “50B Confirmed victims etc: assistance, support and leave to remain
• (1) This section applies if a positive conclusive grounds decision is made in respect of a person.
• (2) This subsection applies if the person has received support under section 50A and in that case—
• (a) the Secretary of State must continue to secure tailored assistance and support for that person at the end of the recovery period if they are in need of that assistance and support in accordance with subsection (2)(b);
• (b) a person who receives a positive conclusive grounds decision must be considered in need of assistance and support under subsection (2)(a) for at least 12 months beginning on the day the recovery period ends;
• (c) a reference in this subsection to assistance and support has the same meaning as in section 50A(6)
• ...

Clause 64 of the Bill^[2] had was titled: Leave to remain for victims of slavery or human trafficking

The Bill required victims of slavery or human trafficking to be given required limited permission to stay in the United Kingdom if necessary for their recovery, for them to seek compensation or for them to cooperate with an investigation or criminal proceedings.

The Lords amendment required support and assistance to be given to confirmed victims of slavery or human trafficking for at least 12 months after the 30 day "recovery period" and for individuals to be given permission to stay in the United Kingdom for that time.

--

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Nationality and Borders Bill, Parliament.uk
• [2] Nationality and Borders Bill, as brought to the House of Lords, from the Commons, on 9 December 2021, Parliament.uk
• [3] Explanatory notes to the Nationality and Borders Bill, as brought to the House of Lords, from the Commons, on 9 December 2021, Parliament.uk
• [4] Lords Message in connection with the Nationality and Borders Bill on 5 April 2022, Parliament.uk
• [5] Section 25A(1)(a Immigration Act 1971, as amended, as at 11 October 2017, Legislation.gov.uk
• [6] Schedule 4 to the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Legislation.gov.uk

Debate in Parliament |