Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 120
Ensure asylum accommodation contractors provide decent, safe standards and face penalties for failures.
Recommendation
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.
Government Response Summary
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.
Paragraph Reference:
120
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Substandard conditions in asylum accommodation are unacceptable. We recognise that there have been challenges in securing suitable accommodation for asylum seekers, and we are working hard to address these issues. We are committed to ensuring that all asylum accommodation meets decent standards, is safe, habitable, and correctly equipped. Accommodation providers are required to carry out regular maintenance and repairs, and to address any issues raised by residents promptly. Where providers fail to meet these standards, we will take appropriate action, including financial penalties.