Twenty-Fifth Report - Asylum accommodation and support transformation programme
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 683
20 November 2020
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twenty fifth report from Session 2019-21 · published 25 Mar 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Home Office (the Department) about asylum accommodation and support services in the UK.2
Government Response Summary
The government's response acknowledges the committee's report, stating it is the government's official response to the findings.
HM Treasury
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7
Conclusion
Not Addressed
As well as call volumes, we asked whether the AIRE service had underestimated the length...
Conclusion
As well as call volumes, we asked whether the AIRE service had underestimated the length of each call. The Department had historical data that suggested calls would take between 12 and 17 minutes. In contrast, Migrant Help based its bid …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response, despite stating agreement with a 'recommendation,' discusses considering future models for asylum seeker accommodation and improving current contracts, including recovering from pandemic impacts. It does not specifically address the committee's observations regarding the AIRE service's call capacity, underestimated call length, or its stated improvements.
HM Treasury
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10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department expected providers to be able to share data as part of the new...
Conclusion
The Department expected providers to be able to share data as part of the new contracts, to make sure they are providing the service expected for asylum seekers. The contracts required an automated link for issue reporting between the AIRE …
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Government Response Summary
The government response discusses improving general engagement mechanisms with stakeholders and developing a Directorate Engagement Strategy, but it does not address the Committee's specific conclusion regarding the lack of automated data sharing links between AIRE and accommodation providers.
HM Treasury
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12
Conclusion
We examined the Windrush scandal in March 2019 and found that the Department lacked understanding...
Conclusion
We examined the Windrush scandal in March 2019 and found that the Department lacked understanding of the needs of applicants for compensation, did not monitor the impact of its ‘compliant environment’ policy on vulnerable members of society and had not …
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HM Treasury
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15
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department explained that its aim was for as few service users as possible to...
Conclusion
The Department explained that its aim was for as few service users as possible to be accommodated in hotels and that those who do spend as little time as possible in hotels once they are there.37 The Department expected providers …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response commits to reducing and ending routine hotel accommodation use by procuring more dispersed accommodation and moving on those with concluded asylum claims. However, it does not specifically address the committee's observation regarding provider incentives or the penalty structure for lengthy hotel stays.
HM Treasury
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17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department told us that it currently accommodated asylum seekers in hotels in approximately 50...
Conclusion
The Department told us that it currently accommodated asylum seekers in hotels in approximately 50 local authorities. It noted that whenever it arranges for a hotel to be used for asylum accommodation, it instructs its relevant teams to contact the …
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Government Response Summary
The government response discusses improving general engagement mechanisms with stakeholders and local authorities. However, it does not specifically address the Committee's concern about the lack of timely notification to local authorities and MPs regarding the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.
HM Treasury
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23
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department told us that 429 asylum seekers had been tested for COVID-19, 122 of...
Conclusion
The Department told us that 429 asylum seekers had been tested for COVID-19, 122 of whom had tested positive.63 In its letter to us after our evidence session, the Department further explained that of those that had tested positive, 29 …
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Government Response Summary
Although the government states it agrees with the recommendation (despite the item being a conclusion), its response focuses on reducing and ending the routine use of hotel accommodation and increasing dispersed accommodation, rather than addressing the specific observations about COVID-19 testing, management difficulties during the pandemic, or safe procedures for stopping support for ineligible asylum seekers.
HM Treasury
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