Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the paint used to cover up murals designed to welcome lone child refugees was manufactured in the UK.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost was of the paint used to cover murals designed to welcome lone child refugees at detention centres.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to replace the murals designed to welcome lone child refugees that were painted over at immigration centres with age-appropriate murals.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason removing murals designed to welcome lone child refugees at immigration centres was considered a priority.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether outside contractors were used to paint over murals designed to welcome lone child refugees at immigration centres.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the age profile is of .lone child refugees at the (a) Kent Intake Unit and (b) Manston centre over the last year.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of painting over murals designed to welcome lone child refugees at immigration centres.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Minister for Immigration last visited a detention centre holding lone child refugees.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many murals designed to welcome lone child refugees at which locations have been painted over.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
Existing contractors based onsite carried out the work. There was no cost to the taxpayer.
Whilst the murals have been removed, other features at the facility include larger and softer interview rooms, an outside space, prayer rooms, a larger reception area and improved security measures to ensure the safety of those on site. The KIU is a bespoke building that was opened in 2022 designed to meet the needs of unaccompanied minors, with increased capacity allowing more children to be seen and their requirements identified as swiftly as possible.
It should be noted that very few under-13s pass through the Kent Intake Unit and these children are prioritised to be moved to Kent County Council care at the earliest opportunity. The overwhelming majority of unaccompanied children who passed through the location last year were largely teenagers. The Home Office has worked closely with Local Authorities, including increase funding, to expedite the transfer time so that unaccompanied minors reach local authorities as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance or information they have issued to local authorities following the change to the move-on period for newly recognised refugees.
Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth
An individual remains eligible for asylum support for a prescribed period from the day they are notified of the decision on their asylum claim. Where someone is given notice that their asylum claim has been granted, their appeal has been allowed or their asylum claim has been refused but they have been given leave to enter or remain, the prescribed period in legislation is 28 days. There has been no change to the prescribed period.
Individuals should make plans to move on from asylum support as quickly as possible. We offer support through Migrant Help or their partner organisation in doing this. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing. Newly recognised refugees are entitled to housing assistance from their local authority and are treated as a priority need if they have children or are considered vulnerable. Individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.
We are ensuring our cross government partners, such as the (DWP) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) are sighted on data to enable them to consider the impacts of increased decision making and effectively plan. We are also working with DLUHC to ensure the right asylum decision data is being shared with local authorities to enable effective planning and to lessen the impact on existing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures. Our accommodation providers are directly working with local authorities to notify them when an individual is due to have their asylum support ended.
In March 2023 we shared data with local and central government that provided a national overview of the initial SAP clearance exercise down to Local Authority level. In August 2023 we shared a further heatmap that included an updated snapshot of all SAP cases, as well as those within the legacy cohort, providing a fuller picture of cases that could be made in each region, down to Local Authority level.