To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 21024 on Migrants: Detainees, if she will specify whether each Brook House Inquiry recommendation has been (a) accepted, (b) partially accepted, (c) rejected; which are (i) open and (ii) closed; and the date of closure for each closed recommendation.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
30 out of the 33 recommendations made by the Brook House Inquiry have been accepted or partially accepted. Following full consideration three recommendations (recommendations 7, 19 and 30) have been rejected.
Positive progress continues to be made against the accepted recommendations, with 12 recommendations (recommendations 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 14, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26) met and closed as of October 2024, 5 (recommendations 5, 11, 27, 28 and 29) due for closure by the end of January 2025, and the remaining 13 (recommendations 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 31, 32 and 33) on track for closure by summer 2025.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 25 November (HL2389), in which he says that the Home Office review into immigration detention will not assess all areas of the Brook House Inquiry, whether they intend to review the recommendations in another review or assessment, and what would the timescale be for this work.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The previous government published a command paper on 19 March 2024 in response to the Brook House Inquiry report. Positive progress continues to be made in addressing the Inquiry’s findings.
A cross departmental working group chaired by the SCS Deputy Director for Detention Services has been meeting since September 2023. The working group continues to meet monthly to consider and monitor delivery of the Inquiry’s recommendations, providing oversight and overarching governance to monitor Inquiry recommendations. Home Office Ministers are fully sighted on progress.
30 out of the 33 recommendations made have been accepted or partially accepted, with 12 recommendations met and closed as of October 2024. The remaining recommendations remain on track for closure by summer 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on implementing the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry, published on 19 September 2023; and whether any of those recommendations have been completed.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
30 out of the 33 recommendations made in the Brook House Inquiry report have been accepted or partially accepted, with 12 recommendations met and closed as of October 2024. The remaining recommendations remain on track for closure by summer 2025.
Siân Berry · Green PartyAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 8868 on Mistreatment of Detainees at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre Inquiry, whether she plans to publish a response to each of the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry report; and whether she has taken steps relating to the use of force against people in immigration detention pending her response to recommendations 14, 15, 16 and 17 of that report.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The abuse that took place at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in 2017 was unacceptable.
Whilst there are no plans to publish a response to each recommendation raised by the inquiry, positive progress continues to be made against the 30 accepted recommendations. The Government will continue to reflect and act on Inquiry recommendations.
Specifically on recommendations 14-17, on the use of force in IRCs, the Home Office communicated to all IRC and contracted service provider staff in December 2023 and May 2024, that techniques involving handcuffing behind backs whilst seated is not permitted. A new Detention Services Order in relation to use of force is being developed specifically for the immigration detention estate and will be published in Spring 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2024 to Question 9238 on Immigration: Detainees, whether the Adults at Risk review will consider the (a) Immigration (Guidance on Detention of Vulnerable Persons) Regulations 2024 and (b) findings and recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The scope of the Adults at Risk review includes the Immigration (Guidance on Detention of Vulnerable Persons) Regulations 2024.
The review forms part of the response to one of the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry (Recommendation 9: Review of the operation of Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001). The review will not cover all areas of the Brook House Inquiry and will not reassess the findings and recommendations made.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Hanson of Flint on 14 October (HL Deb cols 17GC–20GC), whether the review into immigration detention will consider the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry and reassess which of its recommendations to accept.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Adults at Risk review forms part of the response to one of the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry (Recommendation 9: Review of the operation of Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001). However, it will not cover all areas of the Brook House Inquiry and will not reassess the recommendations made.
Lord Scriven · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government which of the 33 recommendations in the Brook House Inquiry report they accept, and when each of these will be implemented.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The abuse that took place at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in 2017 was unacceptable.
The previous government published its response to the public inquiry into Brook House IRC on 19 March 2024, summarising the progress made since 2017 and addressing each of the ten key areas of concern raised in the report.
Positive progress continues to be made in addressing the Inquiry findings. A cross departmental working group has been meeting since September 2023. The working group continues to meet monthly to consider and monitor delivery of the Inquiry’s recommendations, providing oversight and overarching governance to monitor Inquiry recommendations.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Government response to the Brook House Inquiry report, published on 19 March 2024, what progress her Department has made on implementing the recommendations of that report.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The abuse that took place at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in 2017 was unacceptable.
The previous government published its response to the public inquiry into Brook House IRC on 19 March 2024, summarising the progress made since 2017 and addressing each of the ten key areas of concern raised in the report.
The new government is carefully considering the Inquiry’s recommendations and will set out its approach in due course.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry report published on 19 September 2023, what changes will be made to the operation of Haslar and Campsfield immigration removal centres when they reopen.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Home Office is proceeding with plans to open two refurbished IRCs on the sites of the former Campsfield House IRC at Kidlington in Oxfordshire, and the former Haslar IRC in Gosport, Hampshire. Both sites will be a mixture of refurbished and new-build accommodation, built to the latest standards, and, once open, will provide safe, secure and fit for purpose accommodation.
Like other IRCs, both IRCs will house a mixture of time-served Foreign National Offenders and immigration offenders awaiting removal from the UK, in line with the Government’s priority to increase returns. The sites will be secure facilities, with a range of on-site services (including recreation, faith and medical services) available.
We are committed to ensuring the proper protection and treatment of vulnerable people in detention and in developing plans for the new sites, we will be taking concerns raised by inspection and monitoring bodies into account including the key findings made by the Brook House Inquiry. The Home Office has strengthened its capacity to provide assurance and oversight of services across the detention estate. This includes action to refresh and reinforce whistleblowing arrangements; improving information flows; and analysis of complaints, incidents, and use of force.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to reopen Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre, and if so, when.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Home Office is proceeding with plans to open two refurbished IRCs on the sites of the former Campsfield House IRC at Kidlington in Oxfordshire, and the former Haslar IRC in Gosport, Hampshire. Both sites will be a mixture of refurbished and new-build accommodation, built to the latest standards, and, once open, will provide safe, secure and fit for purpose accommodation.
Like other IRCs, both IRCs will house a mixture of time-served Foreign National Offenders and immigration offenders awaiting removal from the UK, in line with the Government’s priority to increase returns. The sites will be secure facilities, with a range of on-site services (including recreation, faith and medical services) available.
We are committed to ensuring the proper protection and treatment of vulnerable people in detention and in developing plans for the new sites, we will be taking concerns raised by inspection and monitoring bodies into account including the key findings made by the Brook House Inquiry. The Home Office has strengthened its capacity to provide assurance and oversight of services across the detention estate. This includes action to refresh and reinforce whistleblowing arrangements; improving information flows; and analysis of complaints, incidents, and use of force.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to reopen Haslar Immigration Removal Centre, and if so, when.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Home Office is proceeding with plans to open two refurbished IRCs on the sites of the former Campsfield House IRC at Kidlington in Oxfordshire, and the former Haslar IRC in Gosport, Hampshire. Both sites will be a mixture of refurbished and new-build accommodation, built to the latest standards, and, once open, will provide safe, secure and fit for purpose accommodation.
Like other IRCs, both IRCs will house a mixture of time-served Foreign National Offenders and immigration offenders awaiting removal from the UK, in line with the Government’s priority to increase returns. The sites will be secure facilities, with a range of on-site services (including recreation, faith and medical services) available.
We are committed to ensuring the proper protection and treatment of vulnerable people in detention and in developing plans for the new sites, we will be taking concerns raised by inspection and monitoring bodies into account including the key findings made by the Brook House Inquiry. The Home Office has strengthened its capacity to provide assurance and oversight of services across the detention estate. This includes action to refresh and reinforce whistleblowing arrangements; improving information flows; and analysis of complaints, incidents, and use of force.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to review and respond to the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry report, published on 19 September 2023.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The abuse that took place at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in 2017 was unacceptable and this government is committed to ensuring that it will never happen again.
The previous government published its response to the Brook House Inquiry on 19 March 2024 and can be found here: Government response to the Brook House Inquiry report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
A cross governmental working group continues to meet monthly to monitor progress against accepted recommendations and drive forward implementation.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Senior Civil Servant appointed to oversee the Government’s consideration of the Brook House Inquiry report, published 19 September 2023, will continue overseeing the implementation of the recommendations after the Government has published its response; and whether the Government's response will include (1) an obligation to monitor the implementation of the report's recommendations, and (2) a requirement to present regular reports to Parliament on th...
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government continues to reflect on the findings in the Brook House Inquiry report and progress is being made on recommendations. The Government response will be published in due course.
This work is being overseen by a Senior Civil Servant (SCS), the Director of Detention Services. A specialist cross government working group has also been established to manage delivery of recommendations, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Department of Health and Social Care.
The Home Office will continue to monitor the implementation of any changes resulting from the report’s recommendations.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address recommendations 10, 15 and 18 of the Brook House Inquiry report, published 19 September 2023.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government continues to reflect on the findings in the Brook House Inquiry report and progress is being made on recommendations. The Government response will be published in due course.
This work is being overseen by a Senior Civil Servant (SCS), the Director of Detention Services. A specialist cross government working group has also been established to manage delivery of recommendations, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Department of Health and Social Care.
The Home Office will continue to monitor the implementation of any changes resulting from the report’s recommendations.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish their response to the Brook House Inquiry report, published 19 September 2023.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government continues to reflect on the findings in the Brook House Inquiry report and progress is being made on recommendations. The Government response will be published in due course.
This work is being overseen by a Senior Civil Servant (SCS), the Director of Detention Services. A specialist cross government working group has also been established to manage delivery of recommendations, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Department of Health and Social Care.
The Home Office will continue to monitor the implementation of any changes resulting from the report’s recommendations.
Lord German · Liberal DemocratAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can provide further details about the cross-Government working group created to manage the delivery of Brook House Inquiry report recommendations, including (1) what are the group's terms of reference, (2) who will be its members, and (3) whether minutes of its meeting be made publicly available.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government continues to reflect on the findings in the Brook House Inquiry report and progress is being made on recommendations. The Government response will be published in due course.
This work is being overseen by a Senior Civil Servant (SCS), the Director of Detention Services. A specialist cross government working group has also been established to manage delivery of recommendations, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Department of Health and Social Care.
The Home Office will continue to monitor the implementation of any changes resulting from the report’s recommendations.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to the letter from the Chair of the Brook House Inquiry to the Home Secretary dated 19 October, which asked what steps they are taking to review and respond to the inquiry’s recommendations and which requested a response by 9 November.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government is carefully considering the findings of the Brook House Inquiry in its detailed report, including the recommendations and the Chair’s letter, in relation to the management of the immigration detention estate and the welfare of detained individuals.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to publish a progress report on the implementation of recommendations from the Brook House Inquiry report, published on 19 September.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government is carefully considering the findings of the Brook House Inquiry in its detailed report, including the recommendations in relation to the management of the immigration detention estate and the welfare of detained individuals.
There are currently no plans to publish a progress report.
Alison Thewliss · Scottish National PartyAnswering body: Home Office
Parliamentary excerpt
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to respond to the final report of the Brook House Inquiry.
Government answer
Answering body: Home Office
The Government will carefully consider the findings of the Brook House Inquiry in its detailed report, including the recommendations in relation to the management of the immigration detention estate and the welfare of detained individuals.