Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of (a) the spread of communicable diseases, (b) mental health problems, (c) physical health problems, (d) hate crime and (e) assault in (i) barracks housing asylum seekers and (ii) other Government housing for asylum seekers in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Accommodation Providers are implementing advice and guidance to meet Public Health England & Wales guidance. Our accommodation has been configured where possible to meet local and national health guidance and allow for social distancing and self isolation when required. People accommodated in hostel-based accommodation receive translated guidance in relation to social distancing, potential symptoms, self-isolating and hygiene requirements, for example, hand washing. Onsite assistance and guidance are provided by support staff.

All asylum seekers in initial and temporary accommodation, including Ministry of Defence sites have access to health care through in house health care teams and/or provider welfare staff who will arrange health care and signpost asylum seekers to appropriate services.

Additionally, all asylum seekers have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help where they can escalate any concerns regarding accommodation or support services, and they can get information about how to obtain further support including legal advice where appropriate. AIRE asylum services provide free independent advice, guidance and information on the asylum process, accommodation, financial support, finding legal representation and any other asylum related matters. AIRE run a national helpline that is free and accessible to all asylum seekers in the UK.

All sites have security staff and our accommodation providers work with local police forces to ensure the safety and security of asylum seeker accommodation.

With regards to hate crime we are monitoring the situation and working closely with the police, as well as our providers, to ensure the safeguarding of the supported population, particularly those currently accommodated in hotels and MoD sites. The welfare of our service users is of the upmost importance.

We hold daily calls with our service providers to monitor and resolve issues during the current pandemic.