:
Further to the previous question, we're seeing data published in
June showing that, for the first time, Minister, since 2016, the
reports of suspected modern slavery in the UK were down by 14 per
cent, and this is raising the worry that it's actually that victims
are being pushed further out of sight and away from seeking help.
So, can I ask our Welsh Government to make formal representations
to UK Ministers, to first of all give the Gangmasters and Labour
Abuse Authority the resources to do their job, as they are at full
stretch already, and also to urge UK Ministers to speed up the
national referral mechanisms for victims to access care from
housing and healthcare to legal aid, because this is a process that
can currently take from six weeks to, indeed, several years? Thank
you, Minister.
(Deputy Minister and Chief Whip): Thank you to Huw
Irranca-Davies. Following on that important point about the
impact of the pandemic, and just to add to the points that I made
earlier on, we are continuing to work with our partners in the
National Crime Agency, police, Gangmasters and
Labour Abuse Authority, but also including all those
non-governmental organisations and charities, such as BAWSO, New
Pathways and Barnardos in Wales, raising awareness of slavery,
dealing with any incidents that are reported, rescuing and
supporting victims where possible. And I think the interesting
issue is that reports across Wales have remained consistent.
We're in regular contact with the Home Office modern slavery
unit, and they are actually now reviewing the national referral
mechanism process. And I think your point about access to legal
aid is crucial. And we have to recognise, of course, that modern
slavery is a reserved matter, and the Home Office will be,
obviously, crucially important to take these messages back in
terms of the impact of the pandemic, so that we can be aware of
and tackle trafficking.
