Asked by: Lord Bishop of London (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the outbreak of COVID-19 at Napier Barracks, what plans they have to end the use of such barracks as asylum accommodation; and if they have no such plans, what steps they intend to take to ensure (1) that social distancing measures are adhered to, and (2) that the dignity and freedom of residents is upheld.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken decisive action to ensure that those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom have the support they need.
Given the unique challenges over recent months, it has been necessary to use contingency accommodation, such as former military barracks, to ensure there is always sufficient capacity to deliver our statutory obligations to destitute asylum seekers.
These sites have accommodated soldiers and army personnel in the past and are safe, secure and suitable accommodation, in which asylum seekers receive three meals a day, all paid for by the taxpayer.
Despite our best efforts and the robust measures in place at our sites, a number of asylum seekers accommodated at Napier recently tested positive for coronavirus.
It was also incredibly disappointing that a number of individuals refused coronavirus tests and had refused to self-isolate or follow social distancing rules, despite repeated requests to do so.
In line with advice from Public Health England, over the last week the Home Office moved a number asylum seekers out of the site. The purpose of this move was to allow others at Napier to self-isolate more easily and facilitate a deep clean of the site.
A wide range of measures have been implemented to ensure guidance on social distancing and self-isolation are properly applied and we have worked closely with public health authorities throughout the pandemic to inform a national approach.
We take the wellbeing, dignity and freedom of those we support extremely seriously. Asylum seekers are not detained and are free to come and go from their accommodation, in line with coronavirus restrictions.
We continue to explore further options to ensure that we continue meet our statutory obligations to support and accommodate destitute asylum seekers at all times.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of London (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that any (1) NHS employee, and (2) agency worker engaged by the NHS, during the COVID-19 pandemic who is currently on (a) a Tier 5 Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa, or (b) a family visa, have the right to remain in the UK. [T]
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government has announced we will extend the visas for a range of healthcare professionals working for the NHS and independent health and care providers, where their current visa expires before 1 October. This offer also applies to their families. The 12-month extension is automatic and free of charge and those benefitting will not have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Details of immigration changes, including the extended list of healthcare professionals covered by this offer, relating to COVID-19 can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-borders.
Those in the UK with leave on long term basis can also extend their stay in-country and can continue to apply online.? Where an online application is made before leave expires, a person’s leave and conditions are automatically extended by virtue of Section 3C of the 1971 Immigration Act until the application can be decided.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of London (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 29 January, the statement that “for detention to be lawful, there must be a realistic prospect of the individual’s removal from the UK within a reasonable timescale”, and the travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what steps they are taking to find alternative ways in which those placed in detention centres are managed.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The health and safety of those in immigration removal centres is of the utmost importance but we remain committed to removing foreign national offenders or those who violate our immigration rules.
Detention plays a key role in securing our borders and maintaining effective immigration control. Decisions to detain are made on a case-by-case basis and kept under constant review. As circumstances of the case change, detention is reviewed in light of these changes and release may then become appropriate. However, it is only right that we protect the public from high-harm individuals, which is why the vast majority of those in detention are foreign national offenders.
The Home Office is following all Public Health England guidance and have robust contingency plans in place including measures such as protective isolation to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the immigration detention estate. Further measures including shielding, single occupancy rooms and the cessation of social visits have been introduced in line with the Government direction on social distancing.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of London (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide healthcare and support services to people in immigration removal centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office continues to follow national guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE), Health Protection Scotland and the National Health Service. In addition, all immigration removal centres have communicable disease contingency plans, based on PHE advice. Measures such as protective isolation and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being used to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading to vulnerable groups in immigration removal centres.
Basic hygiene is a key part of tackling COVID-19. Handwashing facilities are available in all immigration removal centres and we are working closely with suppliers to ensure adequate supply of soap and cleaning materials.
All immigration removal centres have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of London (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that those placed in detention centres are not held indefinitely; and what plans, if any, they have to restrict detention in immigration centres to 28 days.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The law does not permit indefinite detention. For detention to be lawful there must be a realistic prospect of the individual’s removal from the UK within a reasonable timescale.
Most of those people detained for immigration purposes spend only short periods in detention. In the year ending September 2019, 96% left detention within 4 months and 73% in no longer than 28 days.