Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 52
52
Paragraph: 205
We urge the Home Office to follow MHCLG’s lead and to agree jointly with local...
Recommendation
We urge the Home Office to follow MHCLG’s lead and to agree jointly with local authorities, devolved nations and third sector partners a sensible and fair extension to the current measures in place for asylum seekers that reduces the public health risk for them and for the local community. Any extension to these measures should take account of the potential heightened risk of vulnerable asylum seekers becoming ill from Covid-19 if temporary support and accommodation is withdrawn; sufficient time should be provided for asylum seekers who have been granted refugee status and those who have been refused asylum to access appropriate financial and accommodation support. The Home Office should also ensure that its approach to ending cessations is phased to ensure that changes do not overwhelm other services. It should give due consideration to any impact that its decisions may have on the already stretched capacity of local authorities.
Paragraph Reference:
205
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome the Committee’s recognition of the additional and extended support that the Home Office has provided to asylum seekers whose claims have been fully determined. otherwise no longer be eligible was undertaken in consultation with Public Health Agencies across the UK and in accordance with our Public Sector Equality Duties. We are grateful to local authorities across the UK for their part in supporting these efforts. As the committee notes, this additional demand has also placed pressure on the asylum accommodation system and meant that many new asylum seekers have had to spend far longer in temporary accommodation, such as hotels, than we want. As wider public health restrictions evolve, it is right that the asylum system respond to such changes to ensure we can continue to provide support to those who are entitled to it and enable people to move onto the next phase of their lives as quickly as possible. We recognise that this is a complex undertaking that must be delivered at pace in a safe and proportionate way. Following careful discussion and planning with Public Health Agencies, Local Authorities, other government departments and stakeholders, which included members of the voluntary and community sector, we have since August resumed cessations in a phased approach. support first. Cessation of support for those whose asylum claims have been refused, and who are appeal rights exhausted will resume in later phases only as individuals are able to take steps to return to their country of origin. This includes responding to local and national changes in health restrictions. We will continue to listen and work closely with stakeholders including the devolved administrations and those in non-government throughout the recovery period to ensure that every individual can move on from asylum accommodation safely in line with local health advice.