Asylum accommodation

Home Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 17 Dec 2024 Closed: 22 Jan 2026 Parliament page
The Home Office has a duty to provide housing and subsistence to asylum seekers who are awaiting a decision on their claim and are destitute. Asylum accommodation is primarily delivered by private providers through the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contracts (AASC). Home Office spending on asylum accommodation and support … Read more
22 Recommendations
24 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
6 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 18 events
22 Jan
2026
Report published
22 Jan
2026
Correspondence
11 Nov
2025
Correspondence
27 Oct
2025
Report published
14 Oct
2025
Correspondence
14 Oct
2025
Correspondence
1 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
1 Jul
2025
Correspondence
1 Jul
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
10 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
10 Jun
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
13 May
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
1 Jul 2025
View on parliament.uk
Caroline O'Connor · Migrant Help Juliet Halstead · Migrant Help
10 Jun 2025
View on parliament.uk
Dame Angela Eagle DBE · Home Office Joanna Rowland CB · Home Office Simon Ridley · Home Office
13 May 2025
View on parliament.uk
Claudia Sturt · Serco UK & Europe Jason Burt · Mears Group Steve Lakey · Clearsprings Ready Homes
29 Apr 2025
View on parliament.uk
Alex Fraser · British Red Cross Councillor Peter Mason · Local Government Association Enver Solomon · Refugee Council Frances McMeeking · Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership Megan Smith · Deighton Pierce Glynn Natasha Beresford · Dacorum Borough Council Paul Dennett · Salford City Council
18 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
David Bolt · Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration Dr Lucy Mort · Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Professor Jonathan Darling · Durham University Sachin Savur · Institute for Government
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report – The Home Office's management of asylum accommodation HC 580 27 Oct 2025 46 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
46 results
1 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office failures led to costly, widespread hotel use in asylum accommodation.
Instead of acting as a short-term contingency measure, the use of hotels has become a widespread and embedded part of the asylum accommodation system, increasing the cost of the asylum accommodation contracts by billions of pounds beyond the original forecast. … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office recognizes past failures and commits to exiting asylum hotels as soon as possible by progressing alternative accommodation, using sites like former military bases, and increasing Dispersal Accommodation, noting a significant reduction in hotel use already. They also commit to using lessons learned to design flexible, value-for-money contracts for future systems.
Home Office
View details
2 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Set out plans for a flexible, cost-minimising asylum accommodation system, incentivising hotel exits.
We recommend that the Home Office sets out plans for an asylum accommodation system that can flexibly respond to changing demand, whilst minimising potential costs to the taxpayer. In the short term, the Home Office should identify and implement any … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on strengthening its internal contract management capabilities, including investing in capacity, training, and accountability frameworks, and commissioning an independent review of these arrangements, rather than setting out plans for a flexible asylum accommodation system, specific incentives for exiting hotels, or the implications of contractual break clauses.
Home Office
View details
3 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Poorly planned Home Office policies led to neglected contract management and spiralling asylum accommodation costs.
We are persuaded by the evidence we have heard that, in the last Parliament, the Home Office focused on pursuing high-risk, poorly planned policy solutions and lost sight of the day-to-day work of effectively managing the asylum accommodation contracts. Failures … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has significantly strengthened its approach to assuring Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data, applying service credits, and improving contract management oversight over the past year, recovering £74 million. It commits to continuing to strengthen transparency and oversight and enhance management information platforms.
Home Office
View details
4 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office repeatedly failed to build adequate commercial and contract management capacity, despite warnings.
The Home Office was warned repeatedly that it needed to ensure it had adequate commercial and contract management capacity, but did not learn this lesson. Failure to do so left it unprepared to respond to the surge in demand for … Read more
Government Response
The government responded by addressing the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's access to contract information, stating current access is supervised and protocols are being updated, rather than detailing plans for enhancing its own commercial and contract management capability. It will consider formalising these arrangements in legislation when parliamentary time allows.
Home Office
View details
5 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Institute systematic approach to enhancing Home Office commercial and contract management capability and accountability.
The Home Office should set out plans for enhancing and maintaining its commercial and contract management capability, to ensure that it has the skills and resources necessary to effectively manage the delivery of the contracts and control the costs of … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to finalising robust amendments to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for service providers by February 2026, and to incorporating enhanced KPI frameworks into future asylum accommodation contracts. However, this response did not detail plans for enhancing the Home Office's own commercial and contract management capability.
Home Office
View details
6 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office neglected oversight and assurance of asylum accommodation providers, over-reliant on self-reporting.
The Home Office has neglected the oversight and assurance of performance of providers delivering multi-billion pound contracts. The department has been over-reliant on self-reporting of performance by providers and failed to invest in the assurance capacity necessary to properly monitor … Read more
Government Response
The government is devising and implementing a subcontractor assurance framework to identify and rectify issues within supply chains, ensuring providers conduct due diligence and strengthening supply-chain visibility for the Home Office. It also reported that 93% of identified excess profits have been returned.
Home Office
View details
7 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office failed to robustly apply financial penalties for poor asylum accommodation provider performance.
The Home Office has not taken a sufficiently robust approach to applying financial penalties for poor performance by providers. These have been applied late, if at all, with no explanation of why maximum penalties haven’t been applied. The Home Office … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined the profit share mechanism in its contracts, reporting that £45.9 million has been received from providers to date, with a further £3.7 million under discussion. It states the outcome of the annual profit-share audit will be reported through the department's annual accounts.
Home Office
View details
8 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Establish clear process for routinely assuring KPI data and applying service credits across all accommodation.
The Home Office should establish a clear process for routinely assuring KPI data submitted by asylum accommodation providers and applying service credits where providers fail to meet the terms of the contract. There should be a clear and transparent framework … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to introducing a more rigorous profit-share methodology in future asylum contracts, with work already underway to incorporate these provisions into upcoming procurements to reinforce accountability and drive sustainable commercial outcomes.
Home Office
View details
9 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lacks access to commercial contracts, undermining scrutiny.
The work of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) provides essential scrutiny of the delivery of asylum accommodation. The work of the ICIBI does not reduce the need for systematic assurance, but in the absence of adequate … Read more
Government Response
The government responded by detailing its plan to close asylum hotels by the end of the Parliament, stating it has already reduced hotel use and is exploring large sites, rather than addressing the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's access to commercial contracts.
Home Office
View details
10 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Give Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration access to commercial contracts for proper scrutiny.
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration should be given access to commercial contracts so they can be properly scrutinised. The legislation underpinning the Inspector’s role should be amended if necessary to achieve this. (Recommendation, Paragraph 56) 97 Read more
Government Response
The government responded by outlining contractual obligations for providers to notify asylum seekers of accommodation moves with at least five days' notice, and the provision of induction booklets and Migrant Help access, rather than addressing the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's access to commercial contracts.
Home Office
View details
11 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office performance management regime remains inadequate, failing to hold providers accountable for contract delivery.
The failings in the current performance management regime mean that the Home Office is not able to properly hold its providers to account. The Home Office has had more than enough time to identify and address the deficiencies in the … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined Migrant Help's contractual responsibilities and performance standards under the AIRE contract, noting ongoing improvements but also stating the Home Office is currently reviewing performance frameworks and contract scope. It reserves the right to consider alternative providers if standards are not met.
Home Office
View details
12 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Agree new Key Performance Indicators with contract providers and regularly review the regime.
The Home Office should, as a matter of urgency, agree new KPIs with contract providers. In future the KPI regime should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains appropriate and relevant. (Recommendation, Paragraph 58) Oversight of subcontractors Read more
Government Response
The government responded by outlining the complexities of the current AIRE service delivery model and stating it is currently reviewing performance frameworks and contract scope, as well as examining alternative approaches for future AIRE service provision. It did not commit to urgently agreeing new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with contract providers.
Home Office
View details
13 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office lacked adequate oversight of major asylum accommodation subcontracting arrangements.
Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd was operating as a major subcontractor from 2019 onwards, but the Home Office only became aware of issues with the company within the last year. It was only after these issues came to light that the … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office updated its Safeguarding Framework in August 2025 and established a new Safeguarding and Public Protection Programme. However, it states that specific contractual performance measures and wider auditing for subcontractors are outside the current scope of work and remain under review for future development.
Home Office
View details
14 Recommendation Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Implement clear process for regularly reviewing asylum accommodation subcontractors and increase transparency.
We recommend that the Home Office reports back to us in its response to this report on the outcome of its audit of asylum accommodation subcontractors and implements a clear process for how it will regularly review significant subcontractors. It … Read more
Government Response
The government's response deflects the recommendation by focusing entirely on policies for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and age assessment processes, rather than addressing subcontractor audits, transparency, or the termination of Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd.
Home Office
View details
15 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office significantly delayed recouping excess profits from asylum accommodation providers.
It is extremely disappointing that the Home Office only appears to have started the process for recouping excess profits from accommodation providers in 2024. Accommodation providers told us they had tens of millions waiting to be returned to the Home … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the conclusion about its failure to recoup excess profits from accommodation providers by discussing its strategy for dispersal accommodation, national allocation plans, and exiting hotels.
Home Office
View details
16 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Conclude recouping excess profits from past years and establish annual audit process.
The Home Office should conclude the process of recouping excess profits for past years as quickly as possible and set out the amounts that have been returned to the department by contract providers. The Home Office should put in place … Read more
Government Response
The government's response deflects the recommendation to recoup excess profits and implement an annual audit process for profit share, instead focusing on its current and future procurement strategies for dispersed asylum accommodation and engagement with local authorities.
Home Office
View details
17 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office contract design allows providers to make excessive profits from asylum accommodation.
Despite provider profit margins being at the lower end of the Home Office’s original estimate, the way the profit share clause was designed means that as the value of the contracts has increased, providers have been able to make significantly … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the conclusion regarding its failure to implement mechanisms preventing excessive provider profits, instead discussing its indexing model for dispersed accommodation, a pilot program for move-on periods, and data sharing guidance.
Home Office
View details
18 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Ensure future profit share clauses account for cash value of profits, not just margins.
The Home Office should ensure that profit share clauses in future contracts take account of not just profit margins but also the cash value of profits, so that contract providers cannot benefit so substantially from increased demand for and changes … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation to ensure future contracts include profit share clauses that account for the cash value of profits, by discussing its engagement with local authorities and communities regarding asylum accommodation and efforts to combat misinformation.
Home Office
View details
19 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Hold providers accountable for inadequate asylum accommodation and strengthen contract oversight.
The quality of accommodation is highly variable across the country. While there is clearly accommodation of an acceptable standard, too many asylum seekers continue to be placed in accommodation that is inadequate or deeply unsuitable. The accommodation asylum seekers are … Read more
Government Response
The government deflects the recommendation to improve variable accommodation quality and strengthen performance management of providers, by focusing on its strategy to exit all asylum hotels and deliver a range of alternative accommodation sites.
Home Office
View details
20 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Inappropriate asylum hotel use causes significant harm and impacts community cohesion.
Long stays in inappropriate hotels are often deeply harmful to the people accommodated there. Local services are left to respond to these impacts and fill the gaps where the basic needs of asylum seekers are not being met. The use … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to closing asylum hotels by the end of Parliament, noting progress in reducing numbers and detailing its managed plan to coordinate closures with local authorities while exploring alternative large sites.
Home Office
View details
21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Prioritise closure of unsuitable asylum hotels causing harm and significant pressure on services.
When planning the closure of the hotels, the Home Office should prioritise the closure of manifestly unsuitable hotels—such as those in remote areas and near limited infrastructure—that cause the most harm to their residents and place the most pressure on … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to closing asylum hotels as soon as possible, with current usage reduced, and will coordinate closures with local partners considering various factors. However, it did not explicitly commit to developing a specific prioritisation process for the early closure of manifestly unsuitable hotels.
Home Office
View details
22 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Asylum seeker communication regarding accommodation remains inconsistent and inadequate
Communication with asylum seekers is inconsistent and often inadequate. Communication can be particularly poor when asylum seekers are moved between accommodation sites, which can happen with practically no notice. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93)
Government Response
The government states that service providers have a contractual obligation to provide at least five days' notice for accommodation moves, that processes are in place and reviewed, and Migrant Help offers 24/7 support.
Home Office
View details
23 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Set clear communication standards for asylum accommodation providers, including minimum notice periods
We recommend that the Home Office sets clear standards for providers to communicate with asylum seekers about their accommodation and support, including minimum notice periods for moving asylum seekers to new accommodation. The department should regularly monitor provider practices to … Read more
Government Response
The government states that clear contractual obligations already require service providers to notify asylum seekers of moves with a minimum five-day notice, and these standards are monitored through departmental inspections and contract management meetings.
Home Office
View details
24 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
AIRE service unable to meet demand due to Home Office management failures
The Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility Contract (AIRE) service delivered by Migrant Help has not been able to meet demand, and the Home Office has failed to effectively manage the performance of the service. We recognise that Migrant Help has … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges Migrant Help's contractual obligations and monitoring, noting improvements in some KPIs, and states it is working closely with the provider while also reviewing performance frameworks and contract scope to ensure adequate service delivery.
Home Office
View details
25 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Address Migrant Help's AIRE contract performance or find alternative service delivery
The Home Office should take urgent action to address the performance of Migrant Help. If Migrant Help is unable to fulfil the Advice, Issue Reporting, and Eligibility (AIRE) contract to an acceptable standard, the Home Office should find an alternative … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges Migrant Help's contractual obligations and monitoring, stating improvements have been made and they are working closely with the provider; it also confirms it retains the right to consider alternative providers or delivery models if standards are not met, and is reviewing performance frameworks.
Home Office
View details
26 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
AIRE service lacks follow-up mechanisms, creating accountability gap for complaints
Migrant Help is not contracted to follow up on or monitor issues and does not have sight of the response from providers and the Home Office. This creates a significant gap in accountability. We recognise the value of enabling asylum … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to review future delivery options for the AIRE service, stating it is currently reviewing performance frameworks and contract scope, and examining alternative approaches as part of future asylum contract development.
Home Office
View details
27 Conclusion Deferred
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Centralised asylum accommodation issue reporting may not be optimal for all services
While we recognise the value of having an independent, national reporting mechanism for issues with asylum accommodation, we are not convinced that all elements of this service should be delivered through a centralised system. It was therefore encouraging to hear … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges challenges with solely local AIRE service delivery but recognizes the need to review future delivery options, stating it is currently reviewing performance frameworks and contract scope to inform future asylum contract models.
Home Office
View details
28 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Review AIRE service structure, considering local delivery and end-to-end oversight mechanisms
We recommend that the Home Office reviews the structure and remit of the AIRE service, to identify changes that could be made to ensure the service delivers what is required. The Home Office should report back to us on the … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation to review the AIRE service, stating it is currently reviewing its structure, remit, performance frameworks, and contract scope, and examining alternative approaches as part of its future asylum contracts development.
Home Office
View details
29 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Significant safeguarding failings persist in asylum accommodation with inadequate oversight
We are deeply concerned by the volume of evidence indicating significant safeguarding failings in asylum accommodation. While there are evidently pockets of localised good practice, the response to safeguarding concerns is inconsistent and often inadequate, leaving vulnerable people at risk … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges safeguarding's importance, detailing a revised Safeguarding Framework (Aug 2025) and a Public Protection and Safeguarding Programme to improve oversight, but notes that contractual performance measures and auditing for financial penalties are currently 'under review for future development'.
Home Office
View details
30 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Strengthen safeguarding framework, training, and oversight for asylum accommodation providers
We recommend that the Home Office strengthens its approach to safeguarding by: a. Ensuring that there is a robust framework for overseeing and auditing how safeguarding policies and processes are applied on the ground by contractors and subcontractors; b. Ensuring … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office updated its safeguarding framework in August 2025 and established a Public Protection and Safeguarding Programme to improve risk management and communication. However, specific elements like contractual performance measures and wider auditing are currently outside scope and remain under review for future development.
Home Office
View details
31 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Significant failings in age assessment lead to children in adult asylum accommodation
There are significant failings in the current processes for making initial decisions about age and unreliable decisions are still leading to children being incorrectly placed in adult accommodation. We do not have confidence that the arrangements for accommodation providers to … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office has closed emergency UASC hotels, provided incentivised funding to local authorities, and committed to strengthening age assessment processes through an Immigration White Paper and trials of AI technology. They also use safeguarding audits and contractual levers to monitor provider compliance.
Home Office
View details
32 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Improve age dispute identification in asylum accommodation, ensuring staff training and compliance monitoring
The Home Office should review and make improvements to arrangements for identifying and responding to age dispute cases in adult asylum accommodation and ensure that there is clear guidance for accommodation providers. To protect the welfare of children in the … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office is committed to strengthening age dispute processes, including commissioning trials for AI technology to improve age assessment. They use safeguarding audits and contractual levers to monitor provider compliance with guidance and training requirements, and facilitate information sharing through daily travel lists and Secure Communications Forms.
Home Office
View details
33 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Long-term contingency hotel use remains unfairly excluded from asylum distribution planning
The use of hotels for asylum accommodation was intended to be a short- term, contingency measure and consequently people in Contingency Accommodation do not “count” towards the Home Office’s plans for the distribution of asylum seekers across the country. In … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees it needs to account for contingency accommodation in overall planning, but explicitly rejects the recommendation to directly include contingency accommodation in National Allocation Plans for Dispersal Accommodation, citing concerns it would limit procurement of needed dispersal sites.
Home Office
View details
34 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Amend indexing tool for asylum distribution, accounting for contingency accommodation and local factors
We recommend that the Home Office amends the indexing tool used to develop targets for the distribution of asylum seekers across the country so that it accounts for use of Contingency Accommodation. We also recommend that the Home Office ensures … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office is reviewing its indexing tool but rejects the recommendation to directly account for Contingency Accommodation in its plans, arguing it would limit increasing Dispersal Accommodation. However, it does require providers to consider existing Dispersal Accommodation when proposing new sites.
Home Office
View details
35 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office failed to achieve equitable asylum distribution targets, lacking credible plan
The Home Office has failed to achieve its targets for an equitable distribution of asylum seekers. Asylum accommodation is still heavily concentrated in particular areas, often areas of high deprivation. Many local authorities do not have faith that the department … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office states its commitment to fair distribution and is reviewing its indexing tool for capacity and impact. It has National Asylum Allocation Plans and a transformation programme to reduce reliance on contingency accommodation and restore a sustainable dispersal model, despite rejecting a specific recommendation about the indexing tool in a related response.
Home Office
View details
36 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Develop strategy to achieve fairer asylum distribution and enhance local authority engagement and investment
We recommend that the Home Office set out the steps it will take to overcome barriers to the delivery of a fairer distribution of accommodation and improve engagement with local authorities on how best to address barriers to procurement. Local … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office states it already works with local authorities and Strategic Migration Partnerships to address procurement barriers and plans for future contracts to include stronger levers to direct providers. However, it does not specifically address consulting on price caps or investing in local housing.
Home Office
View details
37 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office failed to assess and mitigate local impacts of asylum accommodation delivery
The Home Office has failed to properly consider the impacts of its approach to the delivery of asylum accommodation on local areas and to engage early with local partners to understand what these impacts might be. It is inexplicable that … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office states that impacts on local areas are actively considered using an indexing model that accounts for local pressures. It launched a pilot to extend the move-on period for asylum seekers and has issued guidance to all providers on appropriate data sharing to ensure a consistent approach with local partners.
Home Office
View details
38 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Implement reforms to ensure local impact assessment, improved notice periods, and consistent data sharing
We recommend that the Home Office implements a package of reforms to ensure that the impact of asylum accommodation on local areas is accounted for, including by: a. Ensuring that impacts on local services are adequately assessed by providers prior … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office states it already considers impacts on local areas via an indexing model and has issued data sharing guidance to providers. However, it does not address providing 28 days' notice for new Contingency Accommodation and, after a pilot, reverted to a 28-day notice period (rather than reinstating 56 days) for most asylum seekers with positive decisions.
Home Office
View details
39 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office failed to prioritise community cohesion, fostering mistrust and undermining social cohesion
For too long, the Home Office has not prioritised community cohesion in its approach to asylum accommodation, no doubt at least partly because that is the responsibility of another department. The Home Office has failed to properly engage with local … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office asserts it already engages extensively with local authorities and partners on asylum accommodation. It is also committed to improving and prioritizing communication with local communities, developing clear messaging, strengthening engagement channels, and undertaking trials with police forces to counter misinformation and foster community cohesion.
Home Office
View details
40 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Improve communication with local communities about asylum accommodation, addressing concerns and misinformation
The Home Office should work with other government departments, local authorities, devolved administrations and community groups to improve communication with local communities about the use of asylum accommodation in their areas. This should include communicating how legitimate concerns are being … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, committing to improving communication with local communities, addressing legitimate concerns, and challenging misinformation. It outlined specific actions including developing clear messaging, strengthening engagement channels, and conducting trials with police forces.
Home Office
View details
41 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office lacks clear strategy for asylum accommodation, relying on damaging short-term responses
The Home Office has not demonstrated that it has had a strategy for the delivery of asylum accommodation. The department’s approach has instead been a series of hasty, short-term responses, damaging relationships with partners and confidence in the ability of … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to exiting all asylum hotels as soon as possible, stating it's a complex programme requiring a balanced and evidence-based approach, and is reviewing its long-term accommodation strategy.
Home Office
View details
42 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office lacks clear strategy for sustainable asylum accommodation system
The 2026 break clause and the end of the contracts in 2029 represent an opportunity to draw a line under the current failed, chaotic and expensive system and move to a model that is more effective and offers value for … Read more
Government Response
The Home Office states that exiting asylum hotels is a top priority, with significant progress already made, and commits to ending hotel use by the end of the current Parliament. It is reviewing its long-term accommodation strategy in light of recent policy statements and is working with other departments to deliver a more flexible estate, including military sites.
Home Office
View details
43 Conclusion Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Government lacks fully articulated plan to reduce asylum hotel use
The Government has committed to ending the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this Parliament. Ministers have yet to set out a fully articulated plan with clear milestones for how the Government will deliver a … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to ending hotel use by the end of Parliament, citing progress in reducing numbers, and states it is reviewing its long-term accommodation strategy, but will not publish specific timelines for closures.
Home Office
View details
44 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Set out and publish clear strategy for reducing asylum hotel use and delivering sustainable accommodation
We recommend that the Government set out a clear, credible strategy for how it will reduce the use of asylum hotels and deliver a sustainable system of asylum accommodation. This strategy should include a realistic timeframe and achievable milestones to … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to exit hotels, reiterates its commitment to do so by the end of Parliament, and states it is reviewing its long-term accommodation strategy but will not publish specific timeframes or detailed plans for operational reasons.
Home Office
View details
45 Recommendation Acknowledged
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office must retain effective control over asylum accommodation system
There is no one solution that will solve the fundamental challenges of delivering asylum accommodation on the required scale, and the Home Office cannot simply sub-contract responsibility to local government or private companies—ministers must have effective control and oversight. Regardless … Read more
Government Response
The government is committed to ending hotel use for asylum accommodation and is reviewing its long-term strategy, working with other departments and engaging with local authorities. However, it did not explicitly commit to shaping a future approach that is *more locally led* as recommended, focusing instead on overall strategy and collaboration.
Home Office
View details
46 Recommendation Not Addressed
4th Report – The Home Office's man…
Home Office needs strategy for decentralised asylum accommodation, addressing challenges and opportunities
In principle, a decentralised model could provide a viable alternative to a centralised system that has simply not worked. A more localised approach could have a number of benefits, in particular enabling greater co- ordination between asylum accommodation and other … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterates its commitment to exiting all asylum hotels and is reviewing its long-term accommodation strategy, but does not address the recommendation about developing a strategy for a potential decentralised model or devoting resources to its oversight.
Home Office
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 46 of 22 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 6
Acknowledged 12
Deferred 13
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 3
Total 22 recs + 24 conclusions
Correspondence 6 letters
22 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from Minister for Border Security relating to Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd 15.01.2026
Parliament page
11 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Border Security and Asylum regarding asylum accommodation 10.11.2025
Parliament page
14 Oct 2025 From the Minister for Border Security & Asylum relating to Asylum accommodation 08.10.2025
Parliament page
14 Oct 2025 From committee Letter to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum re asylum accommodation 01.07.2025
Parliament page
1 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Border Security & Asylum on Asylum Accommodation following the evidence session on 10 June 25.06.2025
Parliament page
29 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from the Chief Executive of the Refugee Council on asylum accommodation 14.04.2025
Parliament page