Asylum Seekers Hotel Accommodation 2021-11-22

2021-11-22

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Esther McVey Con
Tatton
Context
Residents of Tatton are concerned about the ongoing nature of supposedly temporary accommodation for immigrants who arrive in the local area. Some hotels have become full-time immigration centres, causing issues within town centres.
Residents of Tatton are concerned about the ongoing nature of supposedly temporary accommodation for immigrants who arrive in the local area. Some hotels are becoming full-time immigration centres and those residing there are in limbo in our town centres. What is the timescale for processing these individuals and for reverting the accommodation back into hotels?
Through changes linked to the new plan for immigration, we will end the use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers. This was a short-term solution during the pandemic, and the new plan includes long-term changes in the offing.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline not provided
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Q2 Partial Answer
Esther McVey Con
Tatton
Context
The share of applications that received an initial decision within six months fell from 87% in 2014 to just 20% in 2019.
One big reason why we need to use hotels is that the asylum processing system has basically imploded. The share of applications that received an initial decision within six months fell from 87% in 2014 to just 20% in 2019. What is the Home Secretary's explanation for that?
There are a number of factors in terms of why there has been slowing down in the processing of asylum claims. Because of the covid pandemic last year, decisions were not made and accommodation policies changed based on Public Health England guidance. The new plan for immigration includes digitalisation of the system to improve processing.
Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or measures provided
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Andrew Gwynne Ind
Gorton and Denton
Context
Asylum seekers receive £39.63 per person for food, clothing and toiletries.
Asylum seekers are given somewhere to live while their application is being processed along with £39.63 per person. Why does the state continue to provide accommodation and money even after asylum applications have been refused?
Changes will come forth that will end this practice, as outlined in the new plan for immigration and the Nationality and Borders Bill.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures or timeline not provided
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Local authorities are not notified about the placement of asylum seekers in hotels.
We agree that hotel use should end but we need to go back to community dispersal. Why is the Home Office still placing large numbers of asylum seekers in unsuitable hotels without notifying local authorities?
Local authorities, particularly in Scotland, have not played their part in helping with dispersal accommodation. The Scottish Government has done nothing to support this policy.
Assessment & feedback
Question about Home Office practices avoided by blaming local authorities
Blaming Other Entities
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Q5 Partial Answer
Context
Home Office planning to build large-scale warehousing for asylum seekers.
Will the Home Office seek local authority permission for building these centres in the middle of people's local authorities?
We on the Conservative side will take no lectures on bypassing democracy or local councils. Out of 32 in Scotland, only one local authority has participated in the dispersal scheme.
Assessment & feedback
Question about Home Office practices avoided by blaming local authorities
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Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Local authorities are not playing their part in supporting dispersal accommodation.
Will the Home Office confirm that it will seek local authority permission for building these centres, or is it planning to bypass local democracy?
The Home Office has been doing everything possible to provide financial support and assistance for local authorities, but certain councils still say no.
Assessment & feedback
Question about building centres avoided by focusing on funding issues
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