Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 119
Substandard and unsanitary conditions in asylum accommodation continue, impacting vulnerable individuals.
Conclusion
Substandard conditions in asylum accommodation are unacceptable. No one should have to endure unsanitary conditions, particularly people who are vulnerable. The slow claim determination process means people can be stuck in poor accommodation for excessive periods leading to and exacerbating adverse effects on people’s physical and mental health. Concerns over the standard of asylum accommodation have been raised repeatedly over many years. It is disappointing that the latest round of contracts to provide such accommodation appear to have yielded little improvement. It is also concerning that the Government is now planning to exempt those properties from basic safety requirements.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges challenges in securing suitable accommodation for asylum seekers, reaffirms its commitment to decent standards, and states that it will take action, including financial penalties, where providers fail to meet these standards.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
119
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Home Office must do more to ensure contracted providers of asylum accommodation provide accommodation of a decent, safe standard and hold contractors to account with financial penalties when they fail to do so. The Home Office should enhance its resources for inspection and contract management and give particular regard to the experiences of pregnant women and those with young children.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗