Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate security vetting of asylum seekers before they enter dispersal accommodation.

The United Kingdom has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation, transportation and cash/subsistence support whilst their application for asylum is being considered. The cost of this is covered by the tax-payer.

Security and criminal record checks are made as part of an asylum claim. No further checks are made prior to the dispersal of an asylum seeker, however, our service providers will report any criminal and suspicious behaviour identified during inspections.

Individuals accommodated under the immigration bail provision are accommodated in separate accommodation to asylum seekers.