Thank you to the many constituents who have got in touch regarding the conditions for asylum seekers at Napier and Penally Barracks and for expressing your thoughts and concerns about the current situation.
The government continues to take
welfare of people in Home Office care very seriously and it is committed to
fulfilling its duties to ensure safe, decent and humane conditions.
The number of people since March
within the asylum system has risen and it has, therefore, been necessary for
the government to act quickly to source contingency accommodation to create
additional capacity and ensure obligations are met in full. Those accommodated
at these specific sites have access to appropriate medical care, are provided
three meals a day, and have access to the 24/7 Migrant Help helpline to raise
any issues.
The government continues to provide
safe and legal routes for people needing protection despite the domestic
challenges we face due to the pandemic. In the year ending June 2020, over
6,320 refugee family reunion visas were issued to partners and children of
those previously granted asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK. The UK
also continues to be one of the largest refugee resettlement states in the
world, resettling around 25,000 refugees and issuing over 29,000 family reunion
visas since 2015.
I was deeply troubled by the recent
destruction at Napier barracks. I am pleased that the necessary parties are
working to repair the damage that has been done. Five arrests have now been
made and I hope that those who were involved in starting the fire and
threatening staff will be brought to justice.
If you would like to discuss this
further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
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