Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of availability of adequate hygiene facilities in immigration removal centres.

The safety and health of people in the detention estate are of the utmost importance. We are following all Public Health England guidance on COVID-19 and have robust contingency plans in place, including measures such as shielding and use of personal protective equipment.

Basic hygiene is a key part of tackling COVID-19. Handwashing facilities are available in all immigration removal centres and we are working closely with suppliers to ensure we have an adequate supply of soap and cleaning materials. The arrangements in place are subject to regular review by Home Office staff and suppliers at each IRC.

In addition, each centre has posters and leaflets to inform staff and detainees about the importance of handwashing and social distancing to minimise the risk from COVID-19. Detainees are also able to speak to staff directly for advice on the protective measures in place.

Guidance on managing COVID-19 in immigration removal centres was published on gov.uk on 5 June https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-removal-centres.

As of 12 June 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres.