As the Prime Minister set out on 14 November, the release of Asia Bibi will be very welcome news to her family and to all those who have campaigned in Pakistan and around the world for her release. We welcome the assurances the Government of Pakistan has given on keeping her and her family safe and it is important that all countries seek to uphold the rule of law and afford security and protection for the rights of all citizens irrespective of faith or belief.<\/p>
It is a longstanding Government policy not to comment on individual cases. In accordance with our duty of confidentiality, we cannot confirm whether an asylum claim has been received or the outcome of such a request. Departing from this policy may put individuals and their family members in danger.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:18:40.087Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asia Bibi"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to offer Asia Bibi asylum in the UK; and, in reaching any decision, what consideration they have given to the likelihood of civil unrest in the UK in the event of her being given asylum in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3364", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Cox"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Cox"} ], "uin" : "HL11438"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006659", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006659/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
he Government is committed to tacking the scourge of modern slavery and supporting those affected by this crime.<\/p>
In 2017, Home Office Ministers agreed a comprehensive package of reforms to the National Referral Mechanism, which included the introduction of places of safety for those leaving situations of exploitation, trebling the period of move on support to assist victims moving out of government funded support and aligning the subsistence rates paid to potential victims of modern slavery with those received by asylum seekers.<\/p>
In light of the judgment in K and AM, the Home Office has immediately reinstated the top up paid to those in the Victim Care Contract who are also receiving support from the asylum support system, so that they receive a total of £65 per week.<\/p>
We are currently putting in place processes to ensure that those who have been affected receive a full back payment as soon as possible, and will set out how we plan to respond in due course, including our communications with all those affected.<\/p>
We are committed to reforming the National Referral Mechanism to ensure that as many victims of modern slavery as possible get the support they need.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL11440"} , {"_value" : "HL11442"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:11:42.743Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery: Victims"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the High Court Judgement in the case of K & AM v Secretary of State for the Home Department delivered on 8 November, by what mechanism they will pay back the amount of subsistence owed to each victim of modern slavery.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4197", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Doocey"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Doocey"} ], "uin" : "HL11439"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006660", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006660/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
he Government is committed to tacking the scourge of modern slavery and supporting those affected by this crime.<\/p>
In 2017, Home Office Ministers agreed a comprehensive package of reforms to the National Referral Mechanism, which included the introduction of places of safety for those leaving situations of exploitation, trebling the period of move on support to assist victims moving out of government funded support and aligning the subsistence rates paid to potential victims of modern slavery with those received by asylum seekers.<\/p>
In light of the judgment in K and AM, the Home Office has immediately reinstated the top up paid to those in the Victim Care Contract who are also receiving support from the asylum support system, so that they receive a total of £65 per week.<\/p>
We are currently putting in place processes to ensure that those who have been affected receive a full back payment as soon as possible, and will set out how we plan to respond in due course, including our communications with all those affected.<\/p>
We are committed to reforming the National Referral Mechanism to ensure that as many victims of modern slavery as possible get the support they need.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL11439"} , {"_value" : "HL11442"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:11:42.79Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery: Victims"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the High Court Judgement in the case of K & AM v Secretary of State for the Home Department delivered on 8 November, whether they plan to issue a formal apology to each victim of modern slavery affected by the reduction in the amount of subsistence allowance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4197", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Doocey"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Doocey"} ], "uin" : "HL11440"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006661", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006661/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government recognises its obligations under s49 of the Modern Slavery Act to publish statutory guidance on the identification of and support for potential victims of modern slavery.<\/p>
We have worked closely with stakeholders across the sector to draft statutory guidance since the Modern Slavery Act came into force, and will publish guidance as soon as we are able. We will announce a timetable in due course.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:11:03.363Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery: Victims"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the guidance about identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, in accordance with section 49(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4197", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Doocey"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Doocey"} ], "uin" : "HL11441"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006662", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006662/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
he Government is committed to tacking the scourge of modern slavery and supporting those affected by this crime.<\/p>
In 2017, Home Office Ministers agreed a comprehensive package of reforms to the National Referral Mechanism, which included the introduction of places of safety for those leaving situations of exploitation, trebling the period of move on support to assist victims moving out of government funded support and aligning the subsistence rates paid to potential victims of modern slavery with those received by asylum seekers.<\/p>
In light of the judgment in K and AM, the Home Office has immediately reinstated the top up paid to those in the Victim Care Contract who are also receiving support from the asylum support system, so that they receive a total of £65 per week.<\/p>
We are currently putting in place processes to ensure that those who have been affected receive a full back payment as soon as possible, and will set out how we plan to respond in due course, including our communications with all those affected.<\/p>
We are committed to reforming the National Referral Mechanism to ensure that as many victims of modern slavery as possible get the support they need.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL11439"} , {"_value" : "HL11440"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:11:42.84Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Slavery: Victims"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government which Minister was responsible for approving the reduction to subsistence allowances for victims of modern slavery; and whether the Prime Minister was advised of this decision.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4197", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Doocey"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Doocey"} ], "uin" : "HL11442"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006686", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006686/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Greek Government is responsible for running the camps in the hotspot islands, which includes making all necessary improvements to camp facilities and for taking steps to reduce overcrowding. I set out the responsibilities of the UK experts in my previous response (HL11028) as well as how the work they do interlinks with the Greek authorities.<\/p>
The UK experts are seconded to the EU Commission and as a result we cannot give a running commentary on the work they carry out.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:19:17.213Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Migrant Camps: Greek Islands"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 6 November (HL11028), what improved facilities have been provided in refugee camps on the Greek Aegean islands following the seconding of British experts; and to what extent any such improved facilities have reduced overcrowding.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL11466"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006696", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006696/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All Home Office issued circulars are published. Home Office circulars from 2012 to 2018 are available via https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-circulars-2018<\/a>. Circulars from 2003 to 2011 are on the National Archives website http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130125092816/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/corporate-publications-strategy/home-office-circulars/<\/a>.<\/p> We have not identified any Home Office circulars that set out any circumstances in which child sexual abuse and exploitation should not be investigated.<\/p> A circular issued in 2008 on the application of the Children Act stresses the paramountcy of respecting the wishes and the feelings of the child in investigations.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:02:20.203Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Offences against Children"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what, if any, circulars were issued by the Home Office to police forces in England and Wales about the circumstances in which instances of organised sexual abuse and exploitation of young women and girls should not be investigated, in each year since 2008.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3153", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Pearson of Rannoch"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Pearson of Rannoch"}
], "uin" : "HL11476"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006699", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1006699/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has asked the Law Commission to undertake a review of the coverage and approach of current hate crime provisions, to ensure the criminal law is working effectively. This includes consideration of whether there should be additional protected characteristics such as gender. Once the Law Commission review is complete, the recommendations will be looked at in the usual way.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-27T17:19:48.1Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hate Crime: Females"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to classify misogyny as a hate crime; and if so, whether they intend also to classify misandry as a hate crime.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Stoddart of Swindon"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Stoddart of Swindon"}
], "uin" : "HL11479"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1005591", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1005591/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Vulnerable Children\u2019s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS) resettles \u2019at-risk\u2019 refugee children from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including their families. Our aim is to resettle up to 3,000 people (children and families, where the child at risk is part of a family unit) through the scheme by 2020.<\/p>
The scheme does not solely target unaccompanied children, but on UNHCR\u2019s advice also extends to vulnerable \u2018children at risk\u2019, such as those threatened with child labour, child marriage and other forms of abuse or exploitation. It is open to all at risk groups and nationalities within the region. There is therefore no specific quota on the number of unaccompanied children who may be referred to, or resettled through, the scheme.<\/p>
The numbers resettled in a particular period depend on a range of factors in-cluding the flow of referrals from UNHCR in the field and the availability of suitable accommodation and care packages in the UK<\/p>