Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which public bodies have (a) statutory responsibility for safeguarding residents and (b) power to inspect safeguarding provisions in asylum accommodation hotels.

The safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in our care is of paramount importance to the Home Office. We have an important role to play in identifying those at risk and sharing relevant information with statutory agencies so they can fulfil their legal responsibilities.

The statutory agencies responsible for safeguarding adults and children are local authorities, health care providers and the police.

The Home Office has a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as detailed in Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.