Contingency Asylum Accommodation 2021-03-22
2021-03-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The independent chief inspector of borders and immigration has inspected contingency asylum accommodation, raising concerns about conditions. Constituents have reported unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks, risking the spread of COVID-19.
What steps is her Department taking to respond to the findings of the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration's inspection of contingency asylum accommodation? Many constituents have been in touch about the unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks, which risk spreading covid. I understand that the Home Secretary told the Select Committee that she had been following guidance, yet that seems to be the opposite of what Kent and Medway clinical commissioning group said.
During the pandemic, the number of accommodated asylum seekers has increased because we have not been able to move people on from accommodation and continuing claims. That means we have needed to secure contingency accommodation options, including two Ministry of Defence sites. We await the inspector's full report on contingency accommodation, which will lay in Parliament alongside the Department's response after his inspection is concluded. We expect the highest standards from our providers and have instructed them to make improvements following the interim report from the independent chief inspector.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether barracks should be used as accommodation for asylum seekers, focusing instead on instructions given to providers.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The independent chief inspector of borders and immigration has inspected contingency asylum accommodation, revealing unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks which risk spreading the coronavirus. The Home Secretary's statements to the Select Committee contradict these findings.
Many constituents have been in touch about the unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks, which risk spreading covid. I understand that the Home Secretary told the Select Committee that she had been following guidance, yet that seems to be the opposite of what Kent and Medway clinical commissioning group said.
We expect the highest standards from our providers and have instructed them to make improvements following the interim report from the independent chief inspector. In future, a core part of avoiding the pressures that result in the need for contingency accommodation will be fixing our broken asylum system, so that decisions are fair, prompt and firmer, and those whose claims are not genuine can be removed more easily.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether barracks should be used as accommodation for asylum seekers, focusing instead on instructions given to providers.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The independent chief inspector of borders and immigration's interim report revealed unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks, contradicting previous statements that dormitory accommodation was safe according to Public Health England advice.
Ministers have claimed that the barracks are 'good enough for the armed services and they are certainly more than good enough for people…seeking asylum.'—[Official Report, 8 February 2021; Vol. 689, c. 10.] However, the report says that they are 'impoverished, run-down and unsuitable'. When will those statements be corrected?
I note the hon. Member's points, but I have already outlined that we expect the highest standards from providers and have instructed them to make improvements. A core part of being able to end the use of contingency accommodation in hotels and barracks is having more options and locations for dispersed accommodation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address why statements about Napier barracks were incorrect or reckless, focusing instead on needing more options for dispersed accommodation.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The independent chief inspector of borders and immigration's interim report revealed unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks, contradicting previous statements that dormitory accommodation was safe according to Public Health England advice.
It is a blindingly obvious fact that whatever is done with dormitory accommodation will not protect against coronavirus. I agree that to fix asylum accommodation, local authorities must have the powers and the funding they need for the job.
We can see from the contribution Glasgow makes that a range of support is already available. As I say, we want to end the use of contingency accommodation. It is just that—contingency.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether local authorities will get the powers and funding they need for asylum accommodation improvements.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The independent chief inspector of borders and immigration's report stated that unhygienic conditions at Napier barracks virtually made a large-scale outbreak inevitable. The Kent and Medway clinical commissioning group confirmed poor hygiene practices and the presence of vulnerable individuals.
In addition, the Kent and Medway clinical commissioning group inspection report on Napier confirmed that some communal areas were cleaned just once a week; that staff were expected to sleep three to a room; and that there were people with pre-existing vulnerabilities accommodated there. The public health advice never supported the use of dormitories.
As I have already outlined, we have instructed our providers to make improvements, and we want to reduce the use of contingency accommodation through fixing our broken asylum system. I am sure many will be interested to note the Labour party's sudden interest in, and enthusiasm for, securing improvements at Napier barracks now that they are no longer being used by our armed forces.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address why Napier barracks is still open, instead questioning the motives of the Labour party.
Response accuracy