Introduction

The Home Office is using accommodation known as Contingency accommodation nationally, as short-term accommodation for people seeking asylum. To date this includes one hotel in Somerset.

People seeking asylum have come from a variety of countries, many with young children, and may have experienced trauma when leaving their home country and coming to the UK.

We are a county known for our compassion and supporting others who are going through difficult times.

Questions

Why have people seeking asylum travelled to the UK?

Most people seeking asylum stay in the first safe country they reach. In fact, 80% of the world’s asylum seekers and refugees are living in countries neighbouring their country of origin.

The main reason why asylum seekers come to the UK is because they have family ties here. This covers more than 50% of cases. Other factors that people will take into account are more practical. For example, if you speak the language, you have more chance of being able to find a job and you can navigate everyday tasks like understanding public transport or going shopping.

It is also not uncommon for people seeking asylum to state their belief that the UK is a safe, tolerant and democratic country, and refer to previous links between their own country and the UK.

There is no legal requirement for any person seeking asylum to make their claim in any particular country.

Why have people seeking asylum been placed in hotels?

The Home Office is currently using a number of hotels all over the country as a temporary and emergency response to accommodate people seeking asylum.

Who makes the decision on where people seeking asylum are placed?

The Home Office makes the decision on which properties and locations are used. It has contracted a company called Clearsprings Ready Homes to find and manage the accommodation. Somerset Council is consulted but the procurement and ongoing management is by the Home Office and contracted partners.

How long will the individuals have been in the country for? And where will they have come from?

Some of those seeking asylum may be new to the country, and others may have been in the UK for some time while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim.

The number of refugees and people seeking asylum varies depending on what is happening in the world.

How are people seeking asylum being supported?

The Home Office will provide basic support including food and toiletries if people are living in a hotel. The Home Office has contracted Migrant Help to offer additional support.

In Somerset, a multi-agency group has been organised with key partners across the County. This includes the NHS, Avon and Somerset Police, Somerset Council, town and parish councils, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and other government bodies to co-ordinate support and respond to emerging needs.

Will we see single people or families move into the area?

A contingency hotel can be used to accommodate both single adults and families.

At present, the hotel in Somerset is being used to accommodate families and single females from a range of countries. The decision to move people into Home Office accommodation is made by the Home Office and is based on need and pressures within the asylum system.

Will people seeking asylum have access to local health services?

Yes, they can access local health services in the same way that any person living in Somerset can.

Can people seeking asylum claim welfare and other benefits?

People seeking asylum are not able to claim welfare benefits, nor are they allowed to work.

Those living in hotel accommodation receive £8.86 per week from the government. People in Dispersal accommodation receive £49.18 per week from the government – this money is to cover food, clothing, toiletries and other essential items.

Will school-age children be placed in local schools?

Children placed in Somerset will be given access to education. This could be through attendance at local schools and colleges or through other ways, depending on the needs of those placed here and the capacity of local schools and colleges.

How long will people seeking asylum stay in Somerset?

People seeking asylum will remain in Home Office accommodation until their asylum claim is processed. This can vary from months to years.

In Somerset, we have both Contingency accommodation and Dispersal accommodation. Both types of accommodation are provided by the Home Office.

How will the safety of people seeking asylum and the community be maintained?

On arrival, all individuals are given an induction and guidance about the local community and what is expected of them while they are staying in Somerset.

Additional staff provided by the Home Office and their contracted partners will provide appropriate 24 hour, seven-days-a-week, on-site security to ensure safety is maintained.

The police will deal with any reports or concerns, as they would normally. The police have spoken to other areas who have accommodated people seeking asylum and the feedback suggests there have been low levels of concern during their stay.

If you have a crime to report, please contact the police in the usual ways by either calling 101 or using their online crime reporting form. As always, if you or someone else is in immediate danger or if the crime is happening right now then call 999.

If you have any questions about the provision of the hotel, please contact the Home Office by emailing public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk or by calling 020 7035 4848.