PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Asylum: Children (16 October 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that children of asylum-seeking families are accommodated appropriately while their parents await a decision on their application for asylum support.

Asked by:
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour)

The Government is committed to providing safe and secure accommodation while asylum claims are considered and ensures that suitable accommodation is allocated according to the specific needs of all eligible asylum seekers and their dependants. While eligibility for support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is being considered, destitute asylum seekers can be accommodated in Initial Accommodation (“IA”) under section 98 of the 1999 Act. All accommodation, including IA, must meet clear contractual standards and be appropriate to any particular characteristics and special needs of those that they accommodate, including children.

Answered by:
Sir Brandon Lewis (Conservative)
24 October 2017