Welsh Lib Dems criticise ‘woeful’ response from Home Office to Parliamentary Questions on Penally Camp

Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised the woeful response from the Home Office to a Parliamentary Question from Wendy Chamberlain MP who had asked about what plans there were to relocate the asylum seekers at Penally Camp to alternative accommodation.

In response the Home Office Minister, Chris Philp MP, said that a rapid review had recommended that the Home Office conducts a ‘deep dive’ on its approach to initial accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alistair Cameron, Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire said:

“Mr Philp needs to speak in plain English and say exactly what he means by a ‘deep dive’. The Asylum Seekers are staying in the middle of Winter in army barracks which are unsuitable as long term accommodation. They are sleeping 6 to a room and run the risk of being infected with coronavirus.

“Rather than speaking in jargon, Mr Philp and his colleagues need to take urgent action and move the asylum seekers to safer, warmer and cleaner accommodation which any of us would expect if we were in similar circumstances.”

Wendy Chamberlain has now asked the Home Secretary “to make a statement on timescales for the relocation of asylum seekers at Penally Camp; and what assessment she has made of the safety of the Penally Camp.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats are also demanding information about what arrangements have been made for the asylum seekers to receive primary health care (including a doctor) and mental health support as well as what action has been taken to speed up the processing of asylum seekers. According to the Refugee Council, at the end of September 2020, 60,548 people were waiting for an outcome on their initial claim for asylum. Of these, 46,108 (76%) have been waiting for more than 6 months, up from 26,125 this time last year.

Question for Home Office from Wendy Chamberlain MP, tabled on 16 December 2020

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to relocate asylum seekers located at the Penally Camp to alternative accommodation.

Answered on 11 January by Chris Philp MP

A rapid review of asylum accommodation came out of a series of Cabinet Office COVID-19 taskforce visits to asylum accommodation and a recommendation that the Home Office conduct a ‘deep dive’ on our approach to initial accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Home Office is reviewing the recommendations of the rapid review and, as previously stated, will seek to publish a summary of the recommendations. We will also hold round tables with stakeholders to discuss the recommendations, actions taken and proposed next steps.

Further Question submitted by Wendy Chamberlain MP

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to answer 130841 on 11 January 2021, to make a statement on timescales for the relocation of asylum seekers at the Penally Camp, and what assessment she has made of the safety of the Penally Camp.