Our submission of evidence regarding the use of hotels as asylum accommodation during the pandemic

On February 19, 2021 we submitted evidence to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders & Immigration regarding the use of hotels as asylum accommodation during the pandemic.

Having had to consistently intervene with humanitarian support for over 20 years since forced dispersal first started in Glasgow and having observed the operations of private contract after contract, we can safely describe the past 18 months under the Home Office/Mears Contract as the most inhumane we have ever witnessed.

The submission cites various cases where duty of care and assessment of risk and vulnerability is non existent. It refers to the reckless way in which human beings are moved around like Amazon parcels by the Home Office/Mears Group.

The submission also touches on the events that led to the Covid 19 outbreak at Napier Barracks and the questionable rhetoric of government ministers.

The report recommends that asylum seekers should be allowed to work and hold savings accounts so that they can lead independent lives whatever the outcome of their asylum claim, and have the means to find housing independently of asylum contracts.

Read our full submission here.