Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultations took place with the National Asylum Seekers stakeholder forum and other interested parties on changing the sharing criteria in asylum accommodation contracts to allow siblings of the same sex to room-share to the age of 20; and if she will make a statement.

In considering the proposal to extend the current contracts the Home Office listened carefully to a range of interested parties, including the evidence that has been given to the Home Affairs Committee and direct feedback from non-governmental organisations’ through regular engagement activity with various stakeholder groups. In extending the contracts the Home Office took the opportunity to make improvements to the contracts that address the concerns that have been raised. We will continue to work closely with a range of stakeholders to continue to improve the operation of the contracts.

No changes have been made in relation to the requirements and restrictions on room sharing and the contract continues to require our contractors to comply with national legislation and local authority rules.