Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 February 2021 to Question 151645, what services are provided by her Department's service providers in (a) Newport and (b) Monmouthshire for people supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in Dispersed Accommodation who are shielding or self-isolating.

Our asylum accommodation providers have put in place a range of measures and additional support to enable households to comply with public measures on social distancing and self-isolation. This has included food parcels and other items for people who are unable to leave the house, provision of telephony for those who are isolating and do not have a telephone, as well as increased welfare contact for those who are isolating.

For those in dispersal accommodation, service user essential living needs -including for cleaning and sanitary items - are met through a weekly cash allowance.

All asylum seekers in our accommodation have access to our Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service provider, Migrant Help. They can contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day if they need assistance or guidance on COVID-19 or other issues – including reporting any concerns with accommodation.