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Human Trafficking

My hon. Friend has made a hugely important point. A number of children whom we believe have been trafficked come into the care of the state and then go missing. That is unacceptable for all of us, and it gives us a policy dilemma in respect of what we should do. The hon. Member for Ashford legitimately and fairly said that we needed more safe houses. The hon. Member for Totnes and others will know that safe houses are sometimes a magnet for the traffickers. What seems a really good idea can have an unintended consequence. We are considering what we can do about the safety of children—particularly trafficked children—who come into the care of the state. We have issued and updated guidance to local authorities. However, let me be clear: if there was one thing that I knew would definitely work, I would do it now—but there is not an easy policy solution. The point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Margaret Moran) is hugely important and we are considering what we can do about it and trying to take that forward. We are asking for the views and advice of stakeholders such as the NSPCC and ECPAT.