Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance he has issued to local authorities on their enforcement responsibilities under the Housing Act 2004 in respect of Houses in Multiple Occupation used to house asylum seekers by the Home Office or its contractors.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has published no such guidance.
I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75141 on 16 September 2025.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what directions and support they give to Local Housing Authorities in order for asylum seekers to be housed; and whether asylum seekers take priority over local people on housing waiting lists.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Home Office is responsible for delivering asylum policy and ensuring eligible destitute asylum seekers are accommodated.
Eligibility for social housing in England is tightly controlled. If a person's immigration status does not allow them recourse to public funds then they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.
Where foreign nationals are eligible, they will have their housing needs considered on the same basis as other eligible applicants in accordance with the local council’s housing allocation scheme. People who are homeless, in overcrowded housing or who need to move for medical reasons are prioritised.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Restore Britain - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date discussions were commenced regarding the potential use of MoD Barnham as asylum accommodation; how many meetings were held with local authorities, police forces, NHS bodies and elected representatives before publication of the proposal; and on what dates those meetings took place.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Government is considering the use of MoD Barnham for asylum accommodation. No final decision has been made.
Suffolk Constabulary and Norfolk Constabulary were notified of Home Office interest in MoD Barnham on 18 June 2026. Members of Parliament and Local Authority senior officials were notified on 24 June 2026. Local Authority Leaders were briefed on 25 June 2026. The Home Office has since engaged with stakeholders, including NHS bodies, regarding the proposed use of MoD Barnham.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2026 to Question 9582 on social rented housing: asylum, what assessment has been made of whether data sharing on former asylum seekers within two days will increase the provision of temporary accommodation by councils to such groups.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Earlier data sharing aims to prevent homelessness in the first place. Providing local authorities with information on newly recognised refugees enables them to intervene at the earliest opportunity during the 42-day move-on period. This gives councils and individuals more time to explore appropriate housing options, including in the private rented sector, before an individual becomes homeless.
These measures do not change local authorities’ statutory homelessness duties or individuals’ entitlement to assistance.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance has his Department given on whether the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers can be included in the definition of affordable housing provided under the National Planning Policy Framework.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Asylum accommodation is provided under sections 4, 95 and 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and is defined by the purpose for which it is provided and its adequacy.
The definition of affordable housing is set out in the glossary of the National Planning Policy Framework and does not include asylum accommodation.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason his Department determined that proposals for the use of site A at MoD Bicester for asylum accommodation should be considered under the Urgent Crown Development Order process.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The decision in question was taken having regard to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 13 February 2025 (HCWS454).
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Restore Britain - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether maximum response times have been specified for the assessment and treatment of (a) urgent, (b) serious and (c) emergency medical conditions among asylum seekers resident at MoD Barnham.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Government is considering the use of MoD Barnham for asylum accommodation. No final decision has been made.
If taken forward, extensive efforts will be made to minimise the impact on local health services and provision will be determined in discussion with health partners.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessments, including surveys, inspections and due diligence exercises, have been undertaken at Site A at MoD Bicester in connection with its proposed use as asylum accommodation.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
No final decision has been made regarding the use of Site A at MoD Bicester for asylum accommodation. The site remains subject to ongoing feasibility, planning, design, assurance and governance processes. The Home Office routinely undertakes due diligence when considering potential asylum accommodation sites, including assessments of suitability, deliverability, safety, security, planning considerations and impacts on local services and communities.
As part of this work, a range of surveys, inspections and technical assessments are undertaken as appropriate to inform decision-making. Feasibility work and initial surveys have been progressing as part of the assessment of the site. The Home Office first informed MOD of a proposal to potentially use MOD Bicester for Asylum Accommodation in November 2025.
The Home Office engages with relevant Government departments, local authorities, emergency services, health partners and other statutory stakeholders where appropriate as proposals develop. Operational Working Groups and stakeholder engagement activity have already taken place with local partners to support consideration of the proposal.
Throughout the development of potential accommodation sites, information is managed in accordance with normal Government requirements, including obligations relating to security, commercial sensitivity, policy development and procurement activity where applicable.
The Home Office keeps its asylum accommodation estate under regular review and works across Government to identify potential accommodation options. Consideration of individual sites forms part of that ongoing process.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any confidentiality requirements or restrictions on the disclosure of information have been issued in connection with proposals to use Site A at MoD Bicester for asylum accommodation.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
No final decision has been made regarding the use of Site A at MoD Bicester for asylum accommodation. The site remains subject to ongoing feasibility, planning, design, assurance and governance processes. The Home Office routinely undertakes due diligence when considering potential asylum accommodation sites, including assessments of suitability, deliverability, safety, security, planning considerations and impacts on local services and communities.
As part of this work, a range of surveys, inspections and technical assessments are undertaken as appropriate to inform decision-making. Feasibility work and initial surveys have been progressing as part of the assessment of the site. The Home Office first informed MOD of a proposal to potentially use MOD Bicester for Asylum Accommodation in November 2025.
The Home Office engages with relevant Government departments, local authorities, emergency services, health partners and other statutory stakeholders where appropriate as proposals develop. Operational Working Groups and stakeholder engagement activity have already taken place with local partners to support consideration of the proposal.
Throughout the development of potential accommodation sites, information is managed in accordance with normal Government requirements, including obligations relating to security, commercial sensitivity, policy development and procurement activity where applicable.
The Home Office keeps its asylum accommodation estate under regular review and works across Government to identify potential accommodation options. Consideration of individual sites forms part of that ongoing process.
Asked by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date her Department first considered Site A at MoD Bicester as a potential location for asylum accommodation.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
No final decision has been made regarding the use of Site A at MoD Bicester for asylum accommodation. The site remains subject to ongoing feasibility, planning, design, assurance and governance processes. The Home Office routinely undertakes due diligence when considering potential asylum accommodation sites, including assessments of suitability, deliverability, safety, security, planning considerations and impacts on local services and communities.
As part of this work, a range of surveys, inspections and technical assessments are undertaken as appropriate to inform decision-making. Feasibility work and initial surveys have been progressing as part of the assessment of the site. The Home Office first informed MOD of a proposal to potentially use MOD Bicester for Asylum Accommodation in November 2025.
The Home Office engages with relevant Government departments, local authorities, emergency services, health partners and other statutory stakeholders where appropriate as proposals develop. Operational Working Groups and stakeholder engagement activity have already taken place with local partners to support consideration of the proposal.
Throughout the development of potential accommodation sites, information is managed in accordance with normal Government requirements, including obligations relating to security, commercial sensitivity, policy development and procurement activity where applicable.
The Home Office keeps its asylum accommodation estate under regular review and works across Government to identify potential accommodation options. Consideration of individual sites forms part of that ongoing process.