Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum Accommodation: Covid-19

Monday 28 September 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial decision on evicting asylum seekers will not be reversed.
  • Number of people accommodated has increased from 48,000 to 60,000 during the pandemic.
  • Minister promises to review and consider a report on asylum accommodation in Glasgow once received.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martyn Day SNP
Asylum & Refugees NHS
Context

The MP raises concern about the government's policy on evicting asylum seekers from accommodation post-asylum decision, citing potential public health risks due to the second wave of the pandemic.

Question

As covid's second wave hits, the Minister must recognise that evicting asylum seekers into destitution will be a disaster for both asylum seekers and the communities into which they are evicted. Will he reverse these utterly reckless plans and confirm whether public health directors and bodies were consulted about this specific decision, and what they advised?

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister of State for Immigration Rules and Borders)

I am a he, not a she. We will not reverse the decision because we need to make sure that when their asylum decisions have been made, people are moved on into the community. The number of people accommodated has gone up from 48,000 to 60,000 as a result of stopping move-ons over the summer period. We are doing this in a very careful and measured way, week by week, slowly and carefully, with consultation with public health bodies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will not reverse decision to evict asylum seekers post-asylum decisions without addressing specific ask about public health director consultations

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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP raises concern about strain on the system due to rising number of people in need of accommodation post-asylum decision.

Question

What her policy is on the provision of asylum accommodation during the covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the number of people we have been supporting has gone up hugely, from about 48,000 to about 60,000 across the UK. That has put enormous strain on the system, but we have been working night and day to accommodate that strain.

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister of State for Immigration Rules and Borders)

During the coronavirus pandemic we have allowed people to remain in their asylum accommodation even after their decision has been made, positively or negatively. We started cessations in August for positive cases, and more recently in England for negative ones.

Answered
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Q3 Joanna Cherry SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The MP asks for publication of a report evaluating the use of hotels as asylum accommodation and requests provision to the Lord Advocate for fatal accident inquiry.

Question

I wonder whether the Minister could make me two promises today: first, to publish in Parliament the report of his evaluation of asylum accommodation and support in Glasgow, including the use of hotels and the tragic deaths that have occurred; and, secondly, to provide a copy of that report to the Lord Advocate, who is considering whether to initiate a fatal accident inquiry into the tragic deaths of asylum seekers in Glasgow during the lockdown?

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister of State for Immigration Rules and Borders)

As the hon. and learned Lady says, formal investigations are going on, and of course the Home Office will support them in any way that we are asked. In relation to the internal review that is taking place, I have not received that report yet, but when I do, I will look at it carefully and consider how best to proceed thereafter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will support formal investigations without committing to publish the report or provide a copy to the Lord Advocate immediately

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