Proposed by Councillor Hayes

Labour member motion

Imagine you lost everything. Would 45 days be long enough to get your life back on track?

It takes victims of modern slavery longer than 45 days to start putting their lives back together, having gone through the most horrific things that anyone can experience in their lifetimes. The Government spends millions of pounds each year to find victims and provide them with shelter and safety for their first 45 days of recovery in England and Wales. However, the Government then formally ends all crucial support on Day 46.

Vulnerable people can be abruptly ejected from safe houses exactly at the point of being formally recognised as victims. Victims might be required to make their own way before agencies can put decent pathways to secure housing and support in place. People can slip through the net, potentially to be tragically abused and exploited all over again. The modern slavery support system must put the needs of vulnerable people at its heart.

This Council and Thames Valley Police believe that the ending of modern-day slavery is a priority focus and work in partnership to that end. Front-line workers do their very best to meet the needs of vulnerable people, but struggle within this system. Shortcomings that are plain to see in the Modern Slavery Act years on from its introduction desperately need correcting.

This Council calls on the Prime Minister to increase support for victims of modern slavery from 45 days to one year.  This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Oxford’s two MPs with the request to back a decent pathway for recovery for victims based on the following:

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales be given a year’s leave to remain, following 45 days of reflection and recovery as called for by the Co-operative Party in its latest campaign.

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales should not be required to leave safe house accommodation until a plan for their ongoing support has been implemented.

— all confirmed victims of modern slavery remaining in England and Wales should be supported into work, housing, and education.

Modern-day slavery is one of the greatest human rights issues of our time. It’s a problem that’s getting worse and urgently needs tackling.

Last year in the UK 3,805 vulnerable people were identified as potentially trafficked—an increase of 17%. 700 to 900 Modern Slavery victims are in the Thames Valley Police Area, making up 7% of the UK estimate, according to latest estimates. A total of160 modern slavery victim identification checks have been completed, according to a service funded by the Office of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.

This figure will be the tip of the iceberg. Victims are hiding in plain sight.

On 18 October, the country will mark Anti-Slavery Day 2017.

This motion reflects this council’s recognition of the importance of raising awareness of modern slavery and putting Britain at the forefront of defeating this evil.

Until the Government creates a caring system and puts the right support in place, victims will struggle to start their recovery.

This Council calls for a change in the law, so that victims can finally get the support they deserve.

Councillor Hayes proposed his submitted motion as set out in the briefing note.  He drew councillors’ attention to Thames Valley Police’s ‘Hidden Harm’ campaign to tackle abuse with a focus on modern slavery.

Councillor Tidball seconded the motion.

During the debate, Councillor Wade said she would like to see the scope of this motion extended to treat people fleeing domestic violence and slavery equally, to provide safe houses for those in urgent need of support, and to offset this by offering support for up to a year where no other support is available.

After debate and on being put to the vote, the amended motion was declared carried.

Council agreed the following motion:

Imagine you lost everything. Would 45 days be long enough to get your life back on track?

It takes victims of modern slavery longer than 45 days to start putting their lives back together, having gone through the most horrific things that anyone can experience in their lifetimes. The Government spends millions of pounds each year to find victims and provide them with shelter and safety for their first 45 days of recovery in England and Wales. However, the Government then formally ends all crucial support on Day 46.

Vulnerable people can be abruptly ejected from safe houses exactly at the point of being formally recognised as victims. Victims might be required to make their own way before agencies can put decent pathways to secure housing and support in place. People can slip through the net, potentially to be tragically abused and exploited all over again. The modern slavery support system must put the needs of vulnerable people at its heart.

This Council and Thames Valley Police believe that the ending of modern-day slavery is a priority focus and work in partnership to that end. Front-line workers do their very best to meet the needs of vulnerable people, but struggle within this system. Shortcomings that are plain to see in the Modern Slavery Act years on from its introduction desperately need correcting.

This Council calls on the Prime Minister to increase support for victims of modern slavery from 45 days to one year.  This Council asks the Leader to write to the Prime Minister and Oxford’s two MPs with the request to back a decent pathway for recovery for victims based on the following:

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales be given a year’s leave to remain, following 45 days of reflection and recovery as called for by the Co-operative Party in its latest campaign.

—all confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales should not be required to leave safe house accommodation until a plan for their ongoing support has been implemented.

— all confirmed victims of modern slavery remaining in England and Wales should be supported into work, housing, and education.

Modern-day slavery is one of the greatest human rights issues of our time. It’s a problem that’s getting worse and urgently needs tackling.

Last year in the UK 3,805 vulnerable people were identified as potentially trafficked—an increase of 17%. 700 to 900 Modern Slavery victims are in the Thames Valley Police Area, making up 7% of the UK estimate, according to latest estimates. A total of160 modern slavery victim identification checks have been completed, according to a service funded by the Office of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.

This figure will be the tip of the iceberg. Victims are hiding in plain sight.

On 18 October, the country will mark Anti-Slavery Day 2017.

This motion reflects this council’s recognition of the importance of raising awareness of modern slavery and putting Britain at the forefront of defeating this evil.

Until the Government creates a caring system and puts the right support in place, victims will struggle to start their recovery.

This Council calls for a change in the law, so that victims can finally get the support they deserve.