Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the suitability of the RAF base at Wethersfield in Essex as a site for housing migrants.

The United Kingdom has a legal obligation to provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with accommodation and other support whilst their claim for asylum is being considered.

Work across government was undertaken to identify and secure more appropriate, cost-effective accommodation options around the country. The site will provide basic, and functional accommodation whilst asylum seekers await a decision on their claim.

The Home Office, supported by the MoD, is working on proposals which will see the current MoD Wethersfield site providing suitable accommodation for single adult male asylum seekers.

The site at MoD Wethersfield is designed to be as self-sufficient as possible, helping to minimise the impact on local communities and services. This includes 24/7 security to reduce the need for police patrols, on-site catering, healthcare and transport provision for those housed on site.

The safety and security of the local communities, those resident on the sites and the sites themselves are of the utmost importance. We are working closely with local police forces and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.