Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Government grants statistics 2020 to 2021, published on 31 March 2022, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Missing People Support Services Funding Grant.
Answered by Sarah Dines
The charity, Missing People, plays a unique safeguarding role with respect to vulnerable missing children and adults, including support for, and promotion of, live police missing persons investigations. This represents a significant cost saving to police forces, enabling them to focus resources on their investigations.
In 2020-21, the charity received a Home Office grant of £122,898.00 for their Support Services. This grant was monitored via regular meetings between the charity and Home Office officials, and an end of year grant report. During the period of this grant, Missing People responded to almost 45,000 police referrals. Support offered included:
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2023 to Question 148822 on Asylum: Stockport, for what reason her Department does not record the data in a reportable format for adult and children asylum seekers that were accommodated and are missing.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office takes the wellbeing, welfare and security of children and minors in our care extremely seriously. Robust safeguarding procedures are in place to ensure all children and minors are safe and supported as we seek urgent placements with local authorities. All children receive a welfare interview on their arrival at accommodation, which includes questions designed to identify potential indicators of trafficking or safeguarding issues. If required, tailored safety plans are put in place.
There are no hotels for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in Stockport.
We have no power to detain unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in hotels and we know some do go missing. Adults are not detained and are free to come and go therefore the Home Office does not hold data for the total number of adult and child asylum seekers that were accommodated via the Home Office that are missing in a reportable format.
Asked by: Lord Rosser (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what contractual obligations hotels must meet to provide contingency accommodation for asylum seekers; and whether those obligations include a requirement to ensure unaccompanied asylum-seeking children do not go missing.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of minors leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.
All asylum seekers, including under 18s, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children, a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army. The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.
The safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in our care is of paramount importance to the Home Office. We expect high standards from all of our providers, and we have a robust governance framework in place to manage service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC). Details of the AASC can be found at: New asylum accommodation contracts awarded - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).
Asked by: Lord Rosser (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to provide powers, or (2) to take other measures, to prevent unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in hotels or any temporary accommodation from going missing.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of minors leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.
All asylum seekers, including under 18s, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children, a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army. The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.
The safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in our care is of paramount importance to the Home Office. We expect high standards from all of our providers, and we have a robust governance framework in place to manage service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC). Details of the AASC can be found at: New asylum accommodation contracts awarded - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).
Asked by: Lord Rosser (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether any missing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are in some form of modern slavery.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of minors leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.
All asylum seekers, including under 18s, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children, a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army. The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.
The safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers in our care is of paramount importance to the Home Office. We expect high standards from all of our providers, and we have a robust governance framework in place to manage service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC). Details of the AASC can be found at: New asylum accommodation contracts awarded - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).
Asked by: Chloe Smith (Conservative - Norwich North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that asylum seekers who are (a) women and (b) unaccompanied minors are not falling victim to (i) modern slavery and (ii) human trafficking whilst residing in temporary hotel accommodation.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The UK is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of people making life-threatening journeys to cross the Channel. These boats are often carrying unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and this has placed unprecedented pressure on the National Transfer Scheme. Out of necessity and with the children’s best interests in mind, we have arranged for them to be accommodated on an emergency and temporary basis in hotels whilst placements with local authorities are being vigorously pursued.
We have safeguarding procedures in place to ensure all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in emergency interim hotels are as safe and supported as possible whilst we seek urgent placements with a local authority. Young people are supported by team leaders and support workers who are on site 24 hours a day. Further care is provided in hotels by teams of social workers and nurses.
The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of children leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.
All asylum seekers, including children, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army.
The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.
Asked by: Chloe Smith (Conservative - Norwich North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that asylum seekers who are unaccompanied minors are (a) supported and (b) kept safe during temporary placements in hotels.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The UK is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of people making life-threatening journeys to cross the Channel. These boats are often carrying unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and this has placed unprecedented pressure on the National Transfer Scheme. Out of necessity and with the children’s best interests in mind, we have arranged for them to be accommodated on an emergency and temporary basis in hotels whilst placements with local authorities are being vigorously pursued.
We have safeguarding procedures in place to ensure all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in emergency interim hotels are as safe and supported as possible whilst we seek urgent placements with a local authority. Young people are supported by team leaders and support workers who are on site 24 hours a day. Further care is provided in hotels by teams of social workers and nurses.
The Home Office has no power to hold children or adults in contingency hotels if they wish to leave. To minimise the risk of a child going missing, records of children leaving and returning to the hotel are kept and monitored. Support workers accompany children off site on activities and social excursions, or where specific vulnerabilities are identified.
All asylum seekers, including children, have an interview on arrival in the UK which includes a series of questions specifically designed to understand whether there are any potential indicators of trafficking. A referral is made to the National Referral Mechanism if indicators are noted. In the case of children a safety plan is put in place by social services, whilst adults identified as potential victims of modern slavery are entitled to care and support provided by the Salvation Army.
The Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions. All contingency sites have security staff and providers liaise closely with local police to ensure the welfare and safety of vulnerable residents.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an assessment of the impact of trends in the levels of covid-19 infections on the ability of students to take (a) GCSE and (b) A-Level examinations.
Answered by Robin Walker
Exams and other formal assessments are the best way of judging students’ performance. By sitting exams, students have a fair chance to show their knowledge and understanding of a subject. The government is fully committed to exams going ahead this summer and does not expect that to change, except in the very unlikely case of a public health emergency which would prevent students being able to physically sit exams.
If a student due to take their exams has tested positive for COVID-19 or is unwell with relevant symptoms, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance is clear that they should stay at home. The guidance is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19#what-to-do-if-you-have-a-positive-covid-19-test-result. They should not attend examinations for the time-period recommended by UKHSA. This is 3 days for children and young people who are 18 years old and under, or 5 days for adults 19 and over. UKHSA guidance covers what to do if someone has symptoms of a respiratory infection at the end of this period.
If someone is staying at home in line with UKHSA guidance, they are considered to have an acceptable reason for absence for the special consideration process. Their centre will provide them with a self-certification form which they or their parent/carer/guardian should complete. Provided they meet the criteria for special consideration, their grade can then be calculated based on the exams and assessments they have already completed, and the exams they complete once they recover.
To address the risk of students missing all their exams, the exam boards have spaced out the exam timetable so that there are at least ten days between the first and last exam, with most subjects having more than 10 days and some quite substantially more. Exceptionally for this year, the Joint Council for Qualifications has confirmed that eligible students can access the special consideration process where they complete at least one whole component within the specification, rather than the usual requirement to cover at least 25% of the total assessment.
In all cases, students, teachers, and schools should adhere to the guidance on living with COVID-19 and candidates are expected to attend their exams wherever possible, and school and college staff should encourage them to do so.
Asked by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department is providing to (a) parents and (b) schools on children who miss exams due to covid-19 infection.
Answered by Robin Walker
Exams and other formal assessments are the best way of judging students’ performance. By sitting exams, students have a fair chance to show their knowledge and understanding of a subject. The government is fully committed to exams going ahead this summer and does not expect that to change, except in the very unlikely case of a public health emergency which would prevent students being able to physically sit exams.
If a student due to take their exams has tested positive for COVID-19 or is unwell with relevant symptoms, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance is clear that they should stay at home. The guidance is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19#what-to-do-if-you-have-a-positive-covid-19-test-result. They should not attend examinations for the time-period recommended by UKHSA. This is 3 days for children and young people who are 18 years old and under, or 5 days for adults 19 and over. UKHSA guidance covers what to do if someone has symptoms of a respiratory infection at the end of this period.
If someone is staying at home in line with UKHSA guidance, they are considered to have an acceptable reason for absence for the special consideration process. Their centre will provide them with a self-certification form which they or their parent/carer/guardian should complete. Provided they meet the criteria for special consideration, their grade can then be calculated based on the exams and assessments they have already completed, and the exams they complete once they recover.
To address the risk of students missing all their exams, the exam boards have spaced out the exam timetable so that there are at least ten days between the first and last exam, with most subjects having more than 10 days and some quite substantially more. Exceptionally for this year, the Joint Council for Qualifications has confirmed that eligible students can access the special consideration process where they complete at least one whole component within the specification, rather than the usual requirement to cover at least 25% of the total assessment.
In all cases, students, teachers, and schools should adhere to the guidance on living with COVID-19 and candidates are expected to attend their exams wherever possible, and school and college staff should encourage them to do so.
Asked by: Peter Kyle (Labour - Hove and Portslade)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 12 September 2017 to Question 7781, if she will provide an updated timeline for the publication of her Department's Missing Children and Adults Strategy.
Answered by Priti Patel - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
People that go missing include some of the most vulnerable in our society. The Government is determined that missing people and their families receive the best possible protection and support; from Government, statutory agencies and the voluntary sector.
While the majority of incidents of children going missing result in no harm, missing incidents can be associated with a number of criminal harms. The Home Office does not hold missing persons data centrally, but the NCA compiles missing persons statistics from police forces in the Missing Persons Unit Data report, published annually at
https://missingpersons.police.uk/cy-gb/resources/downloads/missing-persons-statistical-bulletins