Recommendation 18

We also heard evidence on how data is shared with local authorities, who require up-to-date information to plan housing and support services. MHCLG told us that local authorities need timely notice when people are due to enter or leave asylum accommodation, particularly where individuals may be at risk of homelessness.38 Information sharing between the Home Office, local authorities, accommodation providers, and other relevant parties, such as the police, is not always effective, in part because there is no standardised process for sharing safeguarding and risk management information.39 When we questioned the Home Office on this, it said it had “multi-agency fora” to discuss local authority data and is working on the premise that it will be able to link local authority data to Atlas in future. MHCLG told us it was working with the Home Office to improve visibility and highlighted joint efforts to strengthen data flows to councils.40 In its follow- up response, the Home Office referred to the Place-Based Visibility Tool as a mechanism for providing regular cross-cohort data to local authorities to give them a clearer picture of asylum seekers and refugees in their area.41