Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum Accommodation: Safety and Wellbeing

Monday 26 February 2024 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Olivia Blake asked about steps taken by the Department to ensure the safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in accommodation.
  • The Home Office stated it provides safe and fit-for-purpose accommodation for asylum seekers and holds providers responsible for safety and wellbeing.
  • The Minister rejected the claim that recent policy changes make it harder for asylum seekers to prove their need for specific accommodation arrangements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam
Asylum & Refugees
Context

No specific event or statistic was mentioned, but the question addresses ongoing concerns about the safety and welfare of asylum seekers.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in asylum accommodation?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We continue to provide safe, habitable and fit-for-purpose accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute. The Home Office has established procedures to hold contracted accommodation providers responsible for the provision of safety, security and wellbeing of asylum seekers. In addition, asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 helpline to raise concerns and make formal complaints.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete steps or commitments beyond general statements about established procedures and access to a helpline.

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Q2 Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam
Asylum & Refugees Mental Health
Context

The question refers to recent tragic events involving suicide and mental health concerns among asylum seekers, suggesting a change in policy has made it harder for individuals to prove they are at risk.

Question

Recent tragic events demonstrate that even those who are at risk of suicide are ignored after repeatedly raising concerns about their mental health in asylum accommodation. Why have Ministers changed the allocation of asylum accommodation policy to make it harder for people to prove that they are at risk of harm at a particular site? Will they learn the lessons from December's tragic incident?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I do not accept the depiction that the hon. Lady paints of the situation. We of course make appropriate case-by-case decisions about accommodation arrangements for individuals, reflecting the needs they have and with proper referrals made to any other agencies required to ensure somebody's health or wellbeing, and that safeguarding issues are properly addressed. Migrant Help support is available 24/7 for people to access and raise any issues.

Not addressed: The answer avoids addressing the specific changes in policy mentioned by the MP and does not provide a direct response to the question about learning lessons from tragic incidents.

How: I Do Not Accept The Depiction That The Hon. Lady Paints Of The Situation.

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