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Written Question
Asylum: Military Bases
Monday 8th February 2021

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to protect the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers housed in the disused army barracks in (1) Penally, and (2) Kent; what particular provisions are in place for torture survivors; and how they are managing any COVID-19 outbreaks on both sites.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

Protecting the health and safety of asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic has been our priority and to test our effectiveness we have reviewed the sites we use for coronavirus regulation and guidance compliance.

This is augmented by a range of additional safety measures including increased cleaning of surfaces, availability of hand sanitisers, a track and trace system and communications with residents around COVID-19 control measures.

We work closely with our accommodation providers to ensure that all asylum seekers in supported accommodation are aware of, and have access to, Migrant Help’s helpline. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if service users need help, advice or guidance; including signposting to relevant mental and medical health services. Asylum seekers also have the same access to coronavirus testing as the rest of the general population.

Asylum seekers at the barracks must self-isolate if they test positive or have been exposed to someone who has. We are working closely with the local health authority; Public Health England and Public Health Wales; and additional support staff, as well as on site medical staff, are on-site to ensure that all individuals who have to self-isolate can do so and are following all medical advice.

Additionally, regular welfare checks are conducted on service users, including behavioural monitoring of those who show signs of vulnerability, and where appropriate safeguarding referrals are made to relevant bodies.

Furthermore, as part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the support for potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery, individuals with a positive reasonable grounds decision who have consented to Victim Care Contract (VCC) support – who are also asylum seekers in asylum support accommodation – will receive essential support services from a VCC support worker, who can provide specialist support and advocacy services to assist victims to rebuild their lives.


Written Question
Asylum: Napier Barracks
Monday 1st February 2021

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to the hunger strikes and other protests undertaken by some of the residents of asylum seeker accommodation at Napier Barracks in Folkestone; what steps they are taking (1) to investigate, and (2) to address, the cause of such protests; what education and leisure facilities they (a) have provided, and (b) intend to provide, for use by those residents; and what provision is in place for (i) mental health, (ii) pastoral, and (iii) spiritual, support.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government takes the wellbeing of asylum seekers extremely seriously. We provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with safe, warm and secure accommodation, whilst their claims are being processed.

Since Napier Barracks opened for asylum accommodation, the Home Office has worked closely with Clearsprings and Migrant Help, providers of accommodation and advice services, and in partnership with local authorities, the police force and other partners to ensure that the site operates safely, securely, and in accordance with public health guidance. In addition to support provided on site, Home Office officials have held discussions with asylum seekers about their concerns and to provide further reassurance, including about their safety and wellbeing.

In response to the to the protests held at Napier, officials arranged a call with some of the residents to listen to their concerns. Reassurances were provided that moves out of the camp will shortly recommence, with vulnerability, time spent in the asylum process and overall length of stay in initial accommodation as a key considerations in this process. Weekly Home Office-led forums with residents will also be held going forward and surveys in relation to food and living standards at the site will be undertaken.

Asylum seekers’ basic needs are being met, including three meals per day provided by an on-site chef. In addition, Clearsprings Ready Homes offers those on-site wraparound services including a variety of sports, leisure and educational activities on site. These include English classes, televisions and Wi-fi, and a games room with equipment including pool tables, footballs, basketballs and board games. Mobile telephones are provided if asylum seekers do not have one to ensure that contact can be made.

All asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help where they can raise any concerns regarding accommodation or support services, and they can get information about how to obtain further support including legal advice where appropriate.

At Napier Barracks the Home Office have worked closely with the Local Clinical Commissioning Group in Kent to ensure that arrangements are in place for asylum seekers to access health care as required. The operation of the sites takes cultural and religious needs into account. There are multi-faith rooms at both sites and catering will take account of dietary requirements in accordance with religious needs.


Written Question
Refugees: Resettlement
Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with local authorities about the commencement of their new, consolidated, global resettlement scheme and the resettlement of 5,000 refugees in one year at the conclusion of the Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme; and what was the outcome of any such discussions.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

We have been working closely with key domestic and international stakeholders on plans to safely resume UK resettlement arrivals against the backdrop of unprecedented restrictions and pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of this work, and as announced by Baroness Williams of Trafford in the House of Lords on 9 November, the UK will shortly restart UK resettlement arrivals to fulfil our commitment of resettling 20,000 refugees affected by the conflict in Syria under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and we are working closely with partners to deliver this commitment.

Due to the lead times for refugee arrivals, it is likely that we will see most refugees start to arrive early in the new year.

Decisions regarding resettlement beyond the completion of this scheme are yet to be made and will need to take account of the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing pressures on the asylum system. We have committed to a review of safe and legal routes to the UK. We are aware that the pause in resettlement has had an impact on our resettlement partners and will continue to work with them as future plans are developed.


Written Question
Georgy Bedzhamov
Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the fraud and corruption charges against Georgy Bedzhamov in the context of his application for British citizenship.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

I cannot comment on the specifics of individual cases.


Written Question
Domestic Abuse: Older People
Thursday 22nd October 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the Domestic Abuse Bill includes a requirement that data on domestic abuse is gathered on those aged 74 years old and over.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The Government fully recognises that those aged 74 and over can be victims of domestic abuse, and we are committed to protecting and supporting all victims of this devastating crime. The new statutory definition of domestic abuse in Part 1 of the Domestic Abuse Bill does not contain an upper age limit.

Testing carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) supported raising the upper age limit of the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) from 59 to 74 years, which was implemented from April 2017.

However, this testing also showed that self-completion (whereby the respondent completes the survey questions on a tablet computer) declined as age increased, with the proportion of people completing the modules being much lower for those aged 75 and over. The ONS concluded that the lower response rate for those aged 75 and over would prevent the production of sufficiently robust data, while increasing the burden on respondents.

The methodology used by the CSEW is not a matter for legislation. That is why ministers have raised this issue directly with the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, Professor Sir Ian Diamond. The ONS Centre for Crime and Justice has committed to test whether it is possible to further increase the upper age limit in a future review. We welcome this commitment.


Written Question
Surveillance: Coronavirus
Tuesday 2nd June 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 14 May (HL3508), what are the specific exemptions the Civil Aviation Authority have granted to the Emergency Services, including the police; and from which particular requirements in the Air Navigation Order 2016 those agencies are so exempted.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

The use of drones is regulated by the Air Navigation Order (ANO) 2016.

In July 2017 the CAA issued an exemption to the emergency services to allow for greater flexibility in the operation of drones in the event of an immediate risk to life or a critical incident; subject to certain safeguards.

  • The exemption relates to Article 94(3) – operation of a drone within visual line of sight.

  • Article 95 - operation within minimum distances from congested areas, people, vessels, vehicles and structures.

These exemptions are subject to additional safeguards set out by the CAA and remain valid.

On the 27th of March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the CAA issued an exemption to the ANO allowing emergency services to operate drones more flexibly to enforce lockdown requirements. These exemptions related to:

  • Article 94(3) – requires that the operation of a drone is done within visual line of sight;

  • Article 95 - operation within minimum distances from congested areas, people, vessels, vehicles and structures; the exemption reduces the distance from 50m to 10 or 20 dependent on the weight of the drone.

  • Article 94A(2)- relating to the maximum height at which drones are allowed to operate, the exemption increased the distance from 400ft to 600ft. On the 8th of April this height was reduced from 600ft to 500ft due to an increase in general helicopter activity.

These exemptions were subject to additional safeguards such as the need for an operational observer and to maintain the UA in visual line of sight at all times.

The Covid-19 exemptions have now been revoked due to the return of regular aviation activity.

Subject to meeting the requirements within the ANO and any applicable exemptions issued by the CAA, it is an operational matter for police forces to decide how to deploy drones.


Written Question
Asylum: Finance
Tuesday 2nd June 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make Wi-Fi available for people living in all forms of asylum accommodation so that they can contact essential mental health support services, currently only offered online, during the COVID-19 pandemic without having to spend any portion of their £37.50 weekly allowance on such data.

Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)

Asylum seekers receiving support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 199 are generally provided with accommodation and a cash allowance to cover other essential living needs. The level of the cash allowance provided take into account communication needs, including the cost of buying and using a mobile phone. As a result of the Covid-19 crisis a higher proportion of asylum seekers than usual are being accommodated in full-board hostels and hotels. We are looking at practical ways of providing internet access to this group and other ways to enable them to communicate effectively.


Written Question
Surveillance: Coronavirus
Thursday 14th May 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what powers have been granted to (1) police, and (2) other bodies, for the use of drones and other surveillance technology in order to enforce their responsibilities in response to 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 Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, introduced on 26 March, gave the police the powers they need to ensure compliance with essential measures on social distancing.

Decisions to use drones and in which circumstances are operational matters for police forces who are subject to the requirements of the Air Navigation Order and Data Protection legislation when operating drones.

The Civil Aviation Authority have granted the Emergency Services, including the police, an exemption from some of the requirements in the Air Navigation Order 2016 to support the enforcement of Government COVID-19 restrictions.


Written Question
Asylum: Finance
Tuesday 5th May 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) increase asylum support rates in line with Universal Credit, and (2) provide further support to asylum seekers to assist with essential living requirements, 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)

We are currently reviewing the level of the cash allowances, as we do each year, to ensure that they remain capable of meeting the essential living needs of asylum seekers. There are no plans to increase the level of the cash allowances to Universal Credit levels.


Written Question
Asylum: Children
Monday 27th January 2020

Asked by: Lord Judd (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the British Red Cross, (2) the Refugee Council, (3) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and (4) any other relevant organisations, about how best to enhance the safety and wellbeing of (a) child refugees, and (b) asylum seekers; and whether any such discussions include consideration of the possible benefits of family reunion to such safety and wellbeing.

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 engage with a range of external organisations to discuss the support and care provided to unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee children. This includes regular discussions with NGOs about a number of issues that affect unaccompanied children who are in the UK.

Our current refugee family reunion policy does not allow child refugees to sponsor their parents. The Government’s view is that if children could sponsor parents, it would risk creating incentives for more children to be encouraged, or even forced, to leave their family and risk hazardous journeys to the UK. This plays into the hands of criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people and goes against our safeguarding responsibilities.