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1666449

registered interest
date	23/10/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what impact assessment was carried out for the policy to start the 28-day move-on period from when a person receives a refugee grant letter, instead of when they receive their Biometric Residence Permit.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL10724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2023 answer text <p>The impact assessment which you have requested is for internal use and is not routinely published.</p><p>Following the service of an asylum decision, an individual continues to be an asylum seeker for the purpose of asylum support until the end of the relevant prescribed period, also known as the ‘grace period’ or ‘move on period’. This period is 28 calendar days from when an individual is notified of a decision to accept their asylum claim and grant them leave. This period remains as 28 days and there are no plans to change this. This means that all individuals who receive a positive decision on their asylum claim are eligible to support and accommodation for at least 28 days from when their decision is served.</p><p>Confirmation of the exact date an individual’s support and accommodation is due to end is issued in a ‘notice to quit’ (NTQ) or ‘notice to vacate’ (NTV) letter. This will either be at least 7 days from when the notice is issued, or the date on which the grace period comes to an end, whichever is the greatest. This means that where an individuals’ grace period has passed and they are issued an NTQ/NTV, they will remain eligible to support and accommodation for at least another 7 days. A NTQ /NTV will only be issued once a person has been issued a biometric residence permit (BRP).</p><p>Individuals should make plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision, regardless of when their BRP or NTQ/NTV is issued. We offer support to all individuals through Migrant Help or their partner organisation in doing this. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing. Newly recognised refugees are entitled to housing assistance from their local authority and are treated as a priority need if they have children or are considered vulnerable. Individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.</p><p>We are ensuring our cross government partners, such as the (DWP) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) are sighted on data to enable them to consider the impacts of increased decision making and effectively plan.  We are also working with DLUHC to ensure the right asylum decision data is being shared with local authorities to enable effective planning and to lessen the impact on existing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures. Our accommodation providers are directly working with local authorities to notify them when an individual is due to have their asylum support ended.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth grouped question UIN HL10725 question first answered 26/10/2023 10:01:01 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1666450

registered interest
date	23/10/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government for how many people has the 28-day move-on period commenced from the date they received a refugee grant letter rather than when they received a Biometric Residence Permit.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL10725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2023 answer text <p>The impact assessment which you have requested is for internal use and is not routinely published.</p><p>Following the service of an asylum decision, an individual continues to be an asylum seeker for the purpose of asylum support until the end of the relevant prescribed period, also known as the ‘grace period’ or ‘move on period’. This period is 28 calendar days from when an individual is notified of a decision to accept their asylum claim and grant them leave. This period remains as 28 days and there are no plans to change this. This means that all individuals who receive a positive decision on their asylum claim are eligible to support and accommodation for at least 28 days from when their decision is served.</p><p>Confirmation of the exact date an individual’s support and accommodation is due to end is issued in a ‘notice to quit’ (NTQ) or ‘notice to vacate’ (NTV) letter. This will either be at least 7 days from when the notice is issued, or the date on which the grace period comes to an end, whichever is the greatest. This means that where an individuals’ grace period has passed and they are issued an NTQ/NTV, they will remain eligible to support and accommodation for at least another 7 days. A NTQ /NTV will only be issued once a person has been issued a biometric residence permit (BRP).</p><p>Individuals should make plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision, regardless of when their BRP or NTQ/NTV is issued. We offer support to all individuals through Migrant Help or their partner organisation in doing this. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing. Newly recognised refugees are entitled to housing assistance from their local authority and are treated as a priority need if they have children or are considered vulnerable. Individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.</p><p>We are ensuring our cross government partners, such as the (DWP) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) are sighted on data to enable them to consider the impacts of increased decision making and effectively plan.  We are also working with DLUHC to ensure the right asylum decision data is being shared with local authorities to enable effective planning and to lessen the impact on existing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures. Our accommodation providers are directly working with local authorities to notify them when an individual is due to have their asylum support ended.</p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth grouped question UIN HL10724 question first answered 26/10/2023 10:01:01 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1662622

registered interest
date	02/10/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have been affected by the change to the move-on period for newly recognised refugees, which gives seven days' notice for them to leave their asylum support accommodation.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL10447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2023 answer text <p>An individual remains eligible for asylum support for a prescribed period from the day they are notified of the decision on their asylum claim. Where someone is given notice that their asylum claim has been granted, their appeal has been allowed or their asylum claim has been refused but they have been given leave to enter or remain, the prescribed period in legislation is 28 days. There has been no change to the prescribed period.</p><p>Individuals should make plans to move on from asylum support as quickly as possible. We offer support through Migrant Help or their partner organisation in doing this. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing.</p><p>We are engaging the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on ensuring individuals can move on from asylum support as smoothly as possible.</p><p>Figures on the number of discontinuations are not available in a readily reportable format.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth grouped question UIN HL10448 question first answered 16/10/2023 15:55:41 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1662623

registered interest
date	02/10/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the move-on period for newly recognised refugees to at least 56 days, in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the applications for Universal Credit; and whether they will publish a strategy to accompany any such plans.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL10448
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2023 answer text <p>An individual remains eligible for asylum support for a prescribed period from the day they are notified of the decision on their asylum claim. Where someone is given notice that their asylum claim has been granted, their appeal has been allowed or their asylum claim has been refused but they have been given leave to enter or remain, the prescribed period in legislation is 28 days. There has been no change to the prescribed period.</p><p>Individuals should make plans to move on from asylum support as quickly as possible. We offer support through Migrant Help or their partner organisation in doing this. This includes providing advice on accessing the labour market, on applying for Universal Credit and signposting to local authorities for assistance with housing.</p><p>We are engaging the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on ensuring individuals can move on from asylum support as smoothly as possible.</p><p>Figures on the number of discontinuations are not available in a readily reportable format.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Murray of Blidworth grouped question UIN HL10447 question first answered 16/10/2023 15:55:41 answering member 4950 label Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1307535

registered interest
date	12/04/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers they have asked (1) Mears, (2) Serco, and (3) Clearsprings Ready Homes, to provide accommodation for as part of Operation Oak.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL14716
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2021 answer text <p>We currently have c8100 people in hotels, with our providers working to procure sufficient accommodation across the UK to exit contingency accommodation and maintain a business as usual operation thereafter.</p><p>We require providers to work at pace but have directed them to only procure accommodation which is safe and secure for asylum seekers and the communities in which they live.</p><p>We remain committed to working in partnership with local authorities, through the use the Strategic Migration Partnerships to ensure the views of local authorities are included when forward planning.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 26/04/2021 16:32:04 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1307536

registered interest
date	12/04/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a maximum recommended length of stay for asylum seekers in contingency accommodation before they are offered more suitable long-term accommodation.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL14717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2021 answer text <p>There is no maximum recommended length of stay for asylum seekers in contingency accommodation.</p><p>The global pandemic and the pause on the cessation of support has meant that the supported population has grown and in order to ensure the health of both asylum seekers and the community in which they live the Home Office has had to use contingency accommodation to avoid destitution.</p><p>We would encourage Local Authorities who do not currently house supported asylum seekers, such as Durham, to participate in the asylum dispersal scheme so that we can minimise the length of stay in contingency accommodation</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 26/04/2021 16:07:59 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1305871

registered interest
date	24/03/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many members of staff working for asylum accommodation providers have received the training specified in the Asylum Accommodation and Support Statement of Requirements; and whether training for staff who have face-to-face contact with service users is stipulated in Home Office contracts with providers.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL14571
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2021 answer text <p>The Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts (AASC) are published and the requirements of the contract are set out in the Statement of Requirements, this includes provisions around training and the training programme for those with face-to-face contact with our customers.</p><p>The Provider must fully equip and train staff (including volunteers) to ensure they are able to fulfil their roles and ensure appropriate and sufficient security provisions are made for all staff undertaking face-to-face activities. Those with face to face contact must cover the following:</p><ul><li>Ethnic diversity and cultural awareness</li><li>Suicide and self-harm awareness and prevention</li><li>Basic First Aid</li><li>Gender based violence</li><li>Fire Safety</li><li>Health and Safety</li><li>Vicarious Trauma</li><li>Unconscious Bias</li><li>Counter Terrorism</li><li>Modern Slavery</li><li>Training relating to housing standards and regulatory requirements</li></ul><p>As a minimum, provider staff should receive refresher training on the requirements listed above annually (i.e. refresher training completed every twelve (12) months), or more regularly if required.</p><p>The Home Office does not intend to publish data on the number of staff employed by accommodation providers, who will be expected to undertake training. However, provider performance and service delivery is discussed on a weekly basis. There are formal performance meetings each month, plus strategic boards with senior provider management, once a quarter.</p><p>The Home Office discusses performance of the contracts and service improvements with Local Authorities who participate in asylum dispersal. Durham is the only Local Authority in the North East of England who do not accommodate supported asylum seekers. We would encourage all Local Authorities to play their part and hope Durham will join their neighbours in doing so.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 08/04/2021 15:42:42 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham

1305872

registered interest
date	24/03/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what procedures they have established to (1) monitor, and (2) evaluate, contracts with asylum accommodation providers.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Durham
uin	HL14572
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/04/2021 answer text <p>We expect the highest standards from our providers, who are expected to conduct regular checks across the accommodation estate. The Home Office have access to providers’ systems to monitor compliance.</p><p>The Asylum Accommodation and Support Services contracts (AASC) have a robust performance management system, against which providers are expected to deliver. Where performance falls short of the required standard, failures are recorded and can result in the award of points and, ultimately, service credits being applied. Providers’ performance is monitored closely by dedicated staff in each contract area, who are in daily contact with them.</p><p>This is supplemented by a formal governance process which includes quarterly Strategic Review Management Boards and monthly Contract Management Groups. Service credits and subsequent improvement plans are discussed and monitored as part of this process.</p><p>Contract management is operated in line with Covid-19 guidance. Service Delivery Managers speak daily with providers about service delivery and performance. ​In response to the global pandemic, officials also have formal meetings on a weekly basis to ensure individuals are housed safely, services are delivered in line with their contractual obligations and adherence to guidance from Public Health England (PHE) is followed. ​</p><p>Asylum seekers can also raise specific issues or concerns about their accommodation through the 24/7 Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service operated by Migrant Help. The Home Office and our providers receive feedback on complaints raised through our regular dialogue with Migrant Help, which enables attention to be focussed on particular areas of concern.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 08/04/2021 15:44:51 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4312 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Durham