A Guardian investigation has revealed widespread complaints about the treatment of asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation, highlighting significant issues with staff behavior and the quality of food provided.
Over the past year, 428 complaints have been lodged concerning staff conduct, including reports of abuse, harassment, and mishandling of vulnerable individuals such as those with mental health issues or a history of self-harm. Additionally, 463 complaints were made regarding the food, describing it as inedible and noting instances of insufficient provisions, such as a lack of milk for children as reported by BBC News.
These incidents occurred in what the Home Office refers to as initial accommodation, often comprising hotels or mass accommodation sites managed by contractors. When asylum seekers have grievances about their living conditions, they must report them to these contractors, who then relay the complaints to the Home Office. Despite the significant number of complaints, the Home Office has not provided a detailed breakdown of the concerns raised.
One asylum seeker reported feeling unsafe due to staff having keys to their rooms, recounting an incident where a male staff member entered their daughter’s bedroom without notice. Another asylum seeker criticized the limited food options and insufficient milk for children, likening their treatment to that of animals. These accounts underscore the distress and dehumanization experienced by individuals in these accommodations.
Refugee Action, a charity that documents complaints from asylum seekers, has highlighted particularly troubling cases. One involved a woman who was a victim of sexual exploitation and was effectively imprisoned in her room due to a faulty door that could only be opened from the outside. A male manager allegedly suggested she could stay at his house instead. Another case involved children suffering from vitamin deficiencies and being significantly underweight and undersized for their ages.
Georgia Eracleous, a volunteer with Care4Calais, noted the intimidating presence of male security guards in hotels, who sometimes enter rooms without permission and make unfounded threats of deportation. Tim Naor Hilton, CEO of Refugee Action, emphasized that the reported complaints likely represent only a fraction of the actual issues, as many asylum seekers fear that voicing their concerns could negatively impact their asylum claims or lead to other forms of retribution.
A report by Parliament’s cross-party Public Accounts Committee, published on Wednesday, highlighted the use of 300 hotels for asylum seekers as of the end of March, with an additional 100 having ceased use. The report raised alarm about the incidence of self-harm and suicide among asylum seekers in temporary accommodations, noting that while the Home Office claims to incorporate safety measures into its contracts with providers, it could not detail any penalties for failing to meet standards, despite numerous reports of significant safety breaches.
A spokesperson for the Home Office defended their efforts, citing the unprecedented number of people arriving in the UK and the support provided to prevent destitution among asylum seekers. They asserted that the food in asylum hotels meets NHS Eatwell standards and caters to cultural and dietary needs. The spokesperson also claimed that the Home Office takes all complaints seriously and works with providers to address any concerns raised.
