Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the contract between her Department and Clearsprings Ready Homes for the provision of asylum accommodation, how often Clearsprings Ready Homes is required to report back to her Department on the quality of accommodation.

All Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts must adhere to the Asylum Accommodation and Support Schedule Statement of Requirements. An Environmental Impact Assessment was completed at the time the contracts were agreed. The contracts have resulted in significant investment in the accommodation estate and its itinerary – improved facilities in Initial Accommodation, clear requirements on room sharing and greater inventory in Dispersal Accommodation

Asylum seekers can raise issues, provide feedback or make a complaint through Migrant Help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service can be accessed by telephone, online webchat or in person at nominated sites. Migrant Help will then assign to the relevant party for response within strict contractual time frames. It is vital that individuals utilise this service to raise issues and complaints formally – this helps the department and our delivery partners to effectively identify areas for improvement and target provision enhancement activity to where it is needed most.

.All asylum properties are also inspected by our accommodation providers at least monthly. Additionally, our contract assurance team carries out targeted inspections, for example, targeting for inspection properties about which issues have been raised via Migrant Help. Our inspectors have procedures and tools to focus inspections on all relevant aspects of contract compliance. This investment is delivering benefits in assuring property management and standards.

If accommodation providers have been found to have fallen short of the required standards then we can take action, including but not limited to the application of financial remedies.

Details of the value of the contracts with Clearsprings Ready Homes are published on GOV.UK and can be found via the following links

Wales AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder

South : AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder

Engagement with local authorities around the use of sites is paramount to the work we are doing, and we will always aim to provide as much notice as possible of our intention to use sites. However, this isn’t always possible due to the urgent requirements we have at times including when dealing with large numbers of asylum seeker arrivals..

We offer regular and accurate communication with local officials through Multi agency forums. Amongst the other communication platforms available. We have a dedicated Engagement Team, to assist with any general concerns around sites and working together collaboratively.