Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on ensuring that relevant authorities are equipped to deal with a potential increase in the number of asylum seekers after the end of the transition period.

The Home Office have not currently suspended asylum case decision making. Following health advice and government guidance we temporarily suspected evictions for asylum seekers who had a decision on their claim and continued to support them.

We have been engaging with the NI Executive on asylum matters through the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to do so.

A comprehensive cessation plan, on how to recommence support cessations and evictions is being worked through with discussions with Local Authorities, Other Government Departments and Stakeholders.

We remain committed to working closely with the accommodation providers and communicating with local authorities to relieve pressure and capacity as much as possible and ensure that health guidance is being followed.