Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to make immigration advice available to refugees who are moved from Manston Immigration Processing Centre to hotels in York.

Due to the continuing unprecedented high volume of small boats arrivals and the historical pressure from COVID-19 on the asylum system it has been necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers.

The Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC), set out clearly what the Home Office expects of its accommodation providers, including requirements in relation to our customers’ welfare and needs as well as accommodation standards, as set out in Schedule 2.

We ensure that rooms are an appropriate size for the number of occupants and the occupancy in each bedroom does not exceed that specified in the appropriate space standard, as defined in relevant legislation and/or in Local Authority licensing requirements, as well as ensuring that we are adhere to Public Health England guidance where applicable. The average length of stay in our contingency hotels is 6 to 12 months due to the current accommodation and capacity challenges. The location of dispersal accommodation will be based on the availability of properties suitable for each asylum seekers needs.

Accommodation is offered on a no-choice basis across the United Kingdom. There are established mechanisms in place if individuals have a specific, acute need to be accommodated in a particular area. These mechanisms are supported by Migrant Help and asylum support casework teams

All asylum seekers have the same access to free NHS services in the same way as British citizens and other permanent residents. The Home Office and its contractors work closely with the NHS, local authorities and non-governmental organisations to ensure that people can access the health care and support they need. Asylum seekers also have access to a 24/7 AIRE (Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility) service provided for the Home Office by Migrant Help. Through this asylum seekers can raise any concerns regarding accommodation or support services and they can get information about how to obtain further support and legal advice.

The Full Dispersal model, announced on 13 April 2022, aims to reduce then end the use of hotels by allowing the Home Office to procure dispersal properties within the private rental sector in all Local Authority areas across England, Scotland and Wales, rather than the minority of Local Authorities which currently participate.