Written question asked by Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 25 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 January 2024. It was answered by Tom Pursglove (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024 on behalf of the Home Office.

Asylum: Mental Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of (a) self-harm, (b) depression and (c) suicidal ideation have been reported by people living in government-provided asylum accommodation in (i) hotels, (ii) barges, (iii) former military sites and (iv) detention facilities and removal centres in each of the last 15 years.

Answer: Central records on the number of cases of self-harm and suicidal ideation that have been reported in immigration removal centres (IRCs) are not held as far back as 15 years. Additionally, no central records on the number of cases of depression reported in IRCs are held. This information relates to health conditions which are treated as medical in confidence and therefore the Home Office would not necessarily know if someone in detention was experiencing depression.

Secondary information