MPs to debate asylum accommodation contracts
In a matter of weeks, the Government will sign contracts determining asylum accommodation for the next 10 years. This Wednesday 10 October, MPs will debate the contracts in the House of Commons and at Freedom from Torture we are asking our supporters to urge your MPs to be there.
On Wednesday 10 October 2018, tens of MPs from across the political spectrum attended a debate in Westminster Hall on the new contracts for asylum accommodation. Thank you to the 3,431 Freedom from Torture supporters who wrote to your MPs asking them to attend the debate on the new asylum accommodation contracts the Government will soon sign. Thanks to you, we had an engaging, practical debate drawing on the real experiences of people forced to live in substandard accommodation. Keep your eyes on Twitter and Facebook for updates on this issue and watch and share our video to raise awareness of the issue.
Housing can be poorly maintained, filthy, crowded, inappropriate and occasionally dangerous for vulnerable people like torture survivors.
The new contracts represent an opportunity to address serious failings in the current accommodation provided under COMPASS contracts, despite recommendations from various parliamentary bodies and organisations like Freedom from Torture. Housing can be poorly maintained, filthy, crowded, inappropriate and occasionally dangerous for vulnerable people like torture survivors.
Freedom from Torture evidence has revealed how the needs of asylum seekers are currently neglected and policies to protect torture survivors are not consistently applied. These failings can exacerbate existing mental health problems, undermine torture survivors' sense of safety and impede their recovery.
Freedom from Torture evidence has revealed how the needs of asylum seekers are currently neglected and policies to protect torture survivors are not consistently applied. These failings can exacerbate existing mental health problems, undermine torture survivors' sense of safety and impede their recovery.
Please take action and contact your MP, urging them to attend the debate - to make sure the contract renewal process is properly scrutinised and that new contracts adequately meet the needs of asylum seekers. You can also read our briefing for MPs here (PDF).
