Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees; and whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of an independent review of conditions in that accommodation.

To monitor compliance with the standards we expect from our providers, the Home Office access providers’ systems and apply a robust performance management system to the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts (AASC). This is supplemented by a formal governance process which includes quarterly Strategic Review Management Boards and monthly Contract Management Groups. Service credits and subsequent improvement plans are discussed and monitored as part of this process.

Service Delivery Managers speak daily with providers about performance. In response to the global pandemic, officials also have formal meetings on a weekly basis to ensure individuals are housed safely, services are delivered in line with their contractual obligations and guidance from Public Health England (PHE) is followed.

Asylum seekers can raise specific issues or concerns about their accommodation through the 24/7 Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service operated by Migrant Help. The Home Office and our providers receive feedback on complaints raised through our regular dialogue with Migrant Help.

The Home Office contracted an independent organisation, Human Applications, to conduct a rapid review of initial accommodation for single adult asylum seekers, including hotels and the former military barracks. The purpose was to check compliance with public health guidelines to prevent the transmission of Covid 19. We have shared a report summary of findings and recommendations with our partners, including non-Government Organisations and Strategic Migration Partnerships. We also held workshops with our accommodation providers to empower them to action findings.