Asylum: Military Bases

(asked on 25th January 2021) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to protect the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers housed in the disused army barracks in (1) Penally, and (2) Kent; what particular provisions are in place for torture survivors; and how they are managing any COVID-19 outbreaks on both sites.


Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
This question was answered on 8th February 2021

Protecting the health and safety of asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic has been our priority and to test our effectiveness we have reviewed the sites we use for coronavirus regulation and guidance compliance.

This is augmented by a range of additional safety measures including increased cleaning of surfaces, availability of hand sanitisers, a track and trace system and communications with residents around COVID-19 control measures.

We work closely with our accommodation providers to ensure that all asylum seekers in supported accommodation are aware of, and have access to, Migrant Help’s helpline. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if service users need help, advice or guidance; including signposting to relevant mental and medical health services. Asylum seekers also have the same access to coronavirus testing as the rest of the general population.

Asylum seekers at the barracks must self-isolate if they test positive or have been exposed to someone who has. We are working closely with the local health authority; Public Health England and Public Health Wales; and additional support staff, as well as on site medical staff, are on-site to ensure that all individuals who have to self-isolate can do so and are following all medical advice.

Additionally, regular welfare checks are conducted on service users, including behavioural monitoring of those who show signs of vulnerability, and where appropriate safeguarding referrals are made to relevant bodies.

Furthermore, as part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the support for potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery, individuals with a positive reasonable grounds decision who have consented to Victim Care Contract (VCC) support – who are also asylum seekers in asylum support accommodation – will receive essential support services from a VCC support worker, who can provide specialist support and advocacy services to assist victims to rebuild their lives.

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