Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Paragraph: 59
We are appalled that the Home Office response to the communication support requirements of service...
Conclusion
We are appalled that the Home Office response to the communication support requirements of service users who are not accommodated in hotels or large IA facilities was simply to gather information about where free Wi-Fi might be provided locally—thus encouraging vulnerable people to go to public places—especially at a time when many such places might be closed or restricting public access. If there is a second major national outbreak and lockdown, the Home Office must not repeat this advice.
Paragraph Reference:
59
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We recognise the importance of access to information and the disruption that COVID-19 has brought to normal communication methods for supported asylum seekers. In response, we have ensured that those in Initial Accommodation and hotels have access to Wi-Fi, either directly provided, or via the delivery of data-only SIM cards to Initial Accommodation. 6 Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (coronavirus): institutional accommodation: It is incorrect to say that the Home Office encouraged vulnerable people to leave their accommodation and access public Wi-Fi. All asylum seekers receive an induction when moving into asylum accommodation. This briefing and information include a range of information about the asylum process, the asylum support service and signposting to local services and information to enable them to function individually, and as a member of the wider community. Previous stakeholder feedback had highlighted the importance of including local information such as free Wi-Fi in this induction material and accommodation providers are required regularly to update briefing materials to keep up to date with changes in the local area and the latest policies and guidance. asylum accommodation in the community are analogous to those held in detention, nor that an additional £10 per week phone credit is a proportionate measure for such supported asylum seekers. As the Committee notes, the Home Office has reviewed the level of the cash allowances provided to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, as we do each year to ensure that they remain capable of meeting their essential living needs (the legal test). The recent decision to implement an above inflation increase of 5% was reached using the standard methodology that has been judged by the Court of Appeal to be rational and lawful. This includes a measure of funding to cover access to communications as part of the allowance. Confirmatory work, including taking account of possible wider COVID-19 impacts, is ongoing and the result of the full review will be published in due course.