Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure the (a) integration and (b) assimilation of settled asylum seekers.

This Government is committed to ensuring that refugees can take positive steps towards integration as they rebuild their lives in the UK.

Refugees can access mainstream benefits and services, which enable integration. This includes healthcare, education, English language tuition and Job Centre work coaches. The Home Office is working with other Government departments to ensure these services meet the needs of refugees.

The Government response to the consultation on the Integrated Communities Strategy (ICS) and action plan was published on GOV.UK on 9th February. We have committed to work with civil society partners and others to improve integration support for all refugees in the UK. The action plan sets out measures we are taking forward to support refugees with English language, employment, mental health, and cultural orientation to life in the UK.