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Support for Asylum Seekers
27 April 2021
Lead MP
Neil Coyle
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Lab
Responding Minister
Kevin Foster
Tags
Asylum & RefugeesForeign AffairsLocal Government
Word Count: 15655
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Neil Coyle raised concerns about support for asylum seekers in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The government should quickly reduce the use of hotels for asylum seekers and ensure that accommodation meets their individual needs. It must also address delays in decision-making processes and cut down on the backlog caused by inefficient policies, which have unnecessarily prolonged the suffering of many applicants.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The current asylum accommodation system is fragmented and poorly managed by the Home Office. Statistics show that 81% of asylum seekers do not receive information in their own language, while two-thirds did not get health screening during the pandemic. The system also causes costs to escalate by 28%, leading to significant financial burdens for the taxpayer. Additionally, there are issues with organised crime groups targeting asylum seekers and unsuitable accommodation such as Napier barracks that exposed public health risks.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Mr. Sobel highlighted the poor living conditions faced by asylum seekers in Leeds, including strict rationing of basic supplies, lack of hygiene facilities, and difficulties accessing medical care. He cited a protest involving around 40 people due to poor conditions and mistreatment by staff.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
The Home Office's asylum accommodation system forces vulnerable individuals into poor conditions, leading to health issues and lack of support services. Stories include a teenager dispersed from Fulham to Liverpool then Stoke-on-Trent with no money or food, families moved without proper covid-19 tests or support, and pregnant women lacking necessary care. The Government is responsible for these inadequacies.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Glasgow North West
Anne McLaughlin highlighted the poor conditions in mother-and-baby units and criticised accommodation providers like Mears Group for their treatment of asylum seekers. She also mentioned the return of dawn raids, which she believes is a violation of human rights.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
The Minister faces challenges in finding suitable accommodation for asylum seekers but should work with local authorities to find integrated solutions. Proposals like the site at Barton Stacey are unsuitable due to its remoteness from services, proximity to a busy road, and nearness to military activities. More cross-Government collaboration is needed to help children learn English and integrate into schools.
Ms Webbe criticised the Government's recent asylum system overhaul, describing it as lacking basic humanity and contributing to a demonisation of asylum seekers. She pointed out that contrary to popular misconceptions, the UK does not receive an overwhelming number of asylum applications compared to other European countries. Ms Webbe also highlighted the poor living conditions faced by many asylum seekers and called for an end to outsourcing accommodation to private companies.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
The MP highlighted the context of dispersal policies for asylum seekers in the UK, starting from the early 2000s when local authorities were proactive in offering support. He mentioned improvements under recent Home Office contracts but also noted remaining issues such as competition with locals for social housing and a need to ensure better integration paths. The MP called on the government to improve collaboration across departments to address these challenges.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
She condemned the Home Office's approach to asylum accommodation, citing poor quality conditions in initial accommodation sites where residents face overcrowding, inadequate food, and lack of support for vulnerable individuals. She praised community organisations and faith communities for their support but stressed that such assistance should not be left to them alone.
Holly Lynch
Lab
Batley and Spen
She expressed concern about the use of hotels for asylum seekers, highlighting poor conditions and lack of basic necessities. She criticised the Government's decision to house individuals in disused barracks and questioned the plan to introduce new reception centres which might resemble detention facilities. Holly Lynch also highlighted a letter from local authority leaders threatening to suspend their support due to the unmanageable pressure on the system.
Jack Brereton
Con
Stoke-on-Trent Central
He supported robust action to address pressures on dispersal areas, praising the Home Office's new plan for immigration. He highlighted Stoke-on-Trent's significant contributions and current unsustainable demands on local services due to high asylum seeker population density.
Mr. Sunderland acknowledged the UK's leadership in overseas aid and refugee resettlement but argued that current policies do not disincentivize economic migration under the pretext of asylum. He welcomed new initiatives like the points-based immigration system but cautioned against the proposed model for asylum reception centres in towns lacking resources to manage such facilities.
Hayes and Harlington
Mr McDonnell highlighted the issues faced by asylum seekers housed in two hotels in his constituency, citing problems such as inadequate food provision, delays in financial support payments, and sudden removals of families without proper notice. He called for better administration and more humane treatment to ensure that these individuals are provided with decent accommodation and mental health support.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Mr Rodda highlighted issues at the George Hotel in Reading, where asylum seekers were placed during the pandemic. He cited problems such as inadequate food, lack of medical support, and insufficient financial assistance. He also raised concerns about Clearsprings' poor track record in providing services for refugees and asylum seekers.
Paul Blomfield highlighted that since 2019, there has been an increase in the use of emergency accommodation forms such as hostels and hotels. He warned against the proposed move towards detention centres on arrival, citing potential social isolation and harm to health and wellbeing.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Paula Barker criticised the current asylum accommodation system, citing forced room-sharing and inadequate living conditions. She expressed dismay at military barracks being used for housing asylum seekers and called for a more humane approach to treating refugees.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Glasgow East
He criticised the Home Office for placing vulnerable asylum seekers in inadequate accommodation, citing an outbreak at a Kent barracks where almost 200 people tested positive for coronavirus. He described the UK's asylum support system as shameful and unapologetic towards traumatised individuals.
Zarah Sultana
Your Party
Coventry South
She expressed concern about the poor conditions in camps such as Penally and Napier, where people seeking asylum are crammed into dormitories causing mass outbreaks of coronavirus. She highlighted that local authorities lack necessary funding to help those seeking sanctuary and criticised outsourcing companies like Serco for making profits from Government contracts despite providing unsuitable accommodation.
Government Response
Kevin Foster
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. I thank the hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Neil Coyle) and my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds) for securing the debate. Throughout the pandemic, we have taken action to ensure that those seeking asylum in the UK have the support they need, including access to free accommodation, asylum support allowance, and advice from Migrant Help. The Home Office works with providers to improve property standards and inspections are conducted regularly to address any issues. Contingency accommodation in hotels has been used due to the pandemic, but efforts are being made to mitigate reliance on this by increasing dispersal accommodation across all regions, reducing reliance on contingency accommodation by 25% since December. All basic needs of asylum seekers at contingency sites like Napier are met, including meals, heating, and access to support services. Efforts are ongoing to increase the number of areas that accommodate and support asylum seekers, with agreements in place with over 40 more where providers find it difficult to procure suitable properties. The minister acknowledges concerns about a more equitable spread of dispersal but urges local authorities to assist rather than merely declaring their intention to do so. At the root of accommodation issues is the need for major reforms to address delays and improve system fairness, which will be addressed through the new plan for immigration. The Government remains committed to supporting vulnerable individuals while protecting public trust and safety.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.