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Asylum: RAF Coltishall

Answer

The Home Office is meeting all its statutory duties to accommodate asylum seekers. Due to increased demand on the asylum system it has necessary to use temporary accommodation – this accommodation has always been safe, secure, and funded by the taxpayer

Refugees, asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers can register for and receive primary care free of charge in the same way as any other patient in any nation of the UK.

We work closely with our accommodation providers to ensure that all asylum seekers in supported accommodation are aware of, and have access to, Migrant Help’s helpline. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if service users need help, advice or guidance, including signposting to relevant mental and medical health services. Regular welfare checks are conducted on service users, including behavioural monitoring of those who show signs of vulnerability, and where appropriate safeguarding referrals are made to relevant bodies.

The safety and health of people in the accommodation estate is of the utmost importance. The Home Office has robust contingency plans in place and continues to follow national guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE) and the National Health Service (NHS).

Our providers have put in place a range of measures and additional support to enable households to comply with public measures on social distancing and self-isolation.

Guidance has been issued to all service users in a range of languages relating to hygiene, washing hands, social distancing, coronavirus symptoms and what to do if they become symptomatic.

We keep the use of contingency asylum accommodation under review, according to the availability of more long-term asylum accommodation.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

149292

Session

2019-21

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Asylum Health Safety Temporary accommodation RAF Coltishall

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk