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Napier Barracks Asylum Accommodation
10 June 2021
Lead MP
Chris Philp
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Asylum & RefugeesForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 22
At a Glance
Chris Philp raised concerns about napier barracks asylum accommodation in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister, addressing the impact of the pandemic on the asylum system, announced that between March and October last year, nearly 12,000 extra people were accommodated as a result of the pandemic. Nearly 10,000 of these individuals were housed in hotels at significant public expense. The Napier barracks have been used for accommodation despite concerns raised by Public Health England (PHE), but improvements such as enhanced cleaning regimes and access to healthcare professionals have since been implemented. The High Court dismissed claims that conditions amounted to 'inhuman or degrading treatment', though the Home Office acknowledges past issues based on PHE advice not being followed adequately. Minister hopes for support from Members of Parliament regarding the upcoming sovereign borders Bill.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Shadow Secretary raised concerns over a major outbreak at Napier barracks where 200 people caught COVID-19. She challenged the Home Office's claim of following Public Health England (PHE) advice when emails revealed dormitories were considered unsuitable for accommodation during the pandemic. The MP questioned why guidance was not followed and demanded an apology from the Minister.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by highlighting the operational challenges in accommodating 60,000 people amid a pandemic. He acknowledged the context of needing to house an additional 12,000 people within weeks or months. Despite acknowledging past issues, he noted that measures such as enhanced cleaning and lateral flow testing have been implemented recently. The Minister referred to ongoing dialogue with PHE and emphasised adherence to guidance where feasible.
Damian Collins
Con
Folkestone and Hythe
Question
Inquires whether the Home Office intends to renew its lease on Napier barracks in Folkestone, which has been a source of controversy due to protests and negative impacts on public services. He points out that local residents are strongly opposed to its use.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the concerns raised by constituents and mentions extra funding for Kent police and engagement with local health services. Indicates that no decision has been made beyond September, but promises close consultation with Damian Collins as any further decisions are taken.
Southgate and Wood Green
Question
Raises concerns about the Home Office's failure to follow public health advice leading to a covid outbreak at Napier barracks, highlights fire safety risks, and questions how such conditions could persist during a global pandemic.
Minister reply
Defends the decision by stating the challenges of accommodating 60,000 people during a pandemic. Clarifies that PHE guidance was published online before the court case. Denies allegations of placing asylum seekers in dangerous conditions and highlights measures to improve conditions.
Scott Benton
Lab
Blackpool South
Question
Questions whether the High Court judgment underscores the need for reforming the UK’s asylum system, suggesting that processing asylum seekers outside the UK should be considered.
Minister reply
Agrees with the spirit of Scott Benton's question and confirms all options are under consideration to address the issue of illegal crossings.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Question
Critiques conditions at Napier barracks as dangerous and inhumane, suggesting that such treatment would lead to outrage if applied to soldiers or other groups.
Minister reply
Defends the accommodation by stating it is suitable for young single men. Clarifies that screening processes are in place to prevent vulnerable individuals from entering and highlights measures being taken to improve conditions.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Asks how he should advise his constituents regarding the comparison between Napier barracks' conditions for asylum seekers versus those deemed suitable for military personnel.
Minister reply
Confirms that a Bill will be introduced to reform the UK’s asylum system to ensure fair treatment and prevent unnecessary illegal migration.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Suggests introducing an independent inspection regime for asylum accommodation based on a recommendation by the British Red Cross.
Minister reply
States that Napier is widely inspected, referencing recent inspections by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
Questions why the Home Office plans to open a new detention centre for vulnerable women in County Durham when conditions at Napier barracks have been criticised.
Minister reply
Clarifies that Napier is an accommodation centre where residents are free to come and go, while Hassockfield is a detention centre for individuals whose right to remain has expired.
Question
Proposes returning asylum seekers who arrive illegally from France back to France by boat since it is considered safe.
Minister reply
Agrees that the crossings are unnecessary and illegal, confirms that every option is under consideration to stop these crossings.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
Question
The Home Secretary told the House in January that Napier barracks was 'in line with Public Health England guidelines.' However, a High Court ruling last week found that this statement is not true. The Ministerial Code states that Ministers must give accurate and truthful information to Parliament. Why is the Home Secretary not correcting the record?
Minister reply
The Home Office has been working collaboratively with Public Health England since spring 2020, as stated in a letter from PHE dated June.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
My hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough rightly said that the problem here is illegal crossings from France. Can the Minister confirm that under new proposals, more safe routes to the UK will be opened while clamping down on people smugglers?
Minister reply
The Government intends to stand by those in genuine need with schemes like the resettlement scheme and also clamp down hard on illegal migration.
Marco Longhi
Con
Ashfield
Question
Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. Professors gave evidence that buildings could be something akin to aggressive or threatening. Will the Minister agree to send a delegation from the Committee to assess this building aggression in Napier barracks?
Minister reply
The comments about building aggression seem absurd and there is absolutely no excuse for incidents such as the arson at Napier barracks.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
The Minister’s description of Napier barracks sounds like propaganda. However, refugees are living in squalid accommodation with inadequate health support. Can the Minister explain how £1 billion contracts are monitored and does he agree that the use at Napier barracks was unlawful and shameful?
Minister reply
Contracts are monitored on an ongoing basis but managing 60,000 people in asylum accommodation during a pandemic is challenging.
Tom Hunt
Con
Question
Does the Minister agree that if we are to take back control of our borders, it might be necessary to look at human rights law because judges are often out of step with public opinion?
Minister reply
The Government is bringing forward a new Bill to reform the system and control borders. A review into the Human Rights Act 1998 will report later this year.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Question
The Home Secretary gave evidence on 24 February stating that the Department had previously followed public health guidance regarding Napier barracks in 'every single way.' The High Court judgment suggests this was not factually correct. Why is the Home Secretary not tendering her resignation?
Minister reply
The letter of June 1 states positive ongoing dialogue and collaborative working since spring 2020.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
More than 200 people contracted covid at Napier barracks. What measures are being taken to ensure users are protected from covid? How many have been vaccinated, and what are the future plans for housing asylum seekers in accommodation fit for human habitation?
Minister reply
Measures include increased cleaning service, social distancing, and lateral flow testing three times a week. Vaccinations will follow NHS guidelines.
Question
After WWII, my grandfather who fought alongside British forces was settled in the UK in a refugee camp at an old Army base. Why were those conditions good enough for a hero but not for current asylum seekers?
Minister reply
The experience of his family illustrates the service this country provides to those who genuinely need it.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
The High Court judgment showed that Napier was unsafe in terms of fire safety, covid security, and mental wellbeing. How is the Minister going to change this? Will he say whether Nationwide Accommodation Services has other contracts with the Home Office?
Minister reply
If the hon. Lady would like to raise that case in writing, I would be happy to look into it.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
Happy birthday from the people of Ashfield. After five years living in poor conditions during World War II, my grandad worked for 40 years without complaining and never expected free facilities. Therefore, if illegal immigrants do not like their housing with better facilities than my grandfather had, they should return to France along with left-wing lawyers and opposition members.
Minister reply
The hon. Friend makes a valid point. People from safe countries such as France should claim asylum there instead of attempting dangerous journeys to the UK.
Question
Happy birthday, Mr Speaker. The community cannot understand why an Army barracks providing free accommodation and food for illegal immigrants is now causing strain on local public services due to expensive alternatives like hotels or properties. Should we return these individuals immediately from safe places such as France and look at Denmark’s approach of processing asylum seekers outside the UK?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend's point, which aligns with our efforts to change inadmissibility rules and discussions on operationalising them to address illegal entries from safe countries.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
The Home Office’s treatment of asylum seekers is appalling, especially concerning the delay in providing new prepayment Aspen cards. In my constituency, many rely on local charities for basic needs due to these delays. Will the Minister address this latest scandal?
Minister reply
Delays with new Aspen cards are being rapidly resolved. I reject allegations that the Home Office is not doing its part to support asylum seekers, given the £1 billion annual cost of supporting 60,000 people.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Secretary criticised the Home Office's handling of asylum seekers during the pandemic, highlighting a major outbreak at Napier barracks in January where 200 people contracted COVID-19. The shadow pointed out that while the Home Office claimed adherence to PHE guidance, internal emails revealed dormitories were considered unsuitable and alternative guidelines suggested limiting bed numbers and providing isolation facilities. She questioned why these measures were not followed and demanded an apology from the Minister for misleading information provided previously.
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