Independent Investigation Into Compass Asylum Contracts

EDM number 1156 in 2015-16, proposed by Stuart McDonald on 25/02/2016.
Categorised under the topic of Asylum.

That this House expresses its serious concern about the allegations in The Times Scotland on Thursday 18 February of dehumanising treatment, neglect and poor standards of accommodation for those seeking asylum in the UK who have been dispersed to Glasgow; notes that these allegations pertain to Orchard and Shipman in particular, who have been sub-contracted by Serco, itself under contract from the Home Office, to deliver the lifeline public service of housing for women, children and men, many of whom come from war-torn countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea; emphasises that we must always remember these are resilient but also deeply vulnerable fellow women, men and children who may have lost everything precious to them and made perilous journeys to seek refuge here and find a secure home; recommends that the seriousness of the allegations in The Times Scotland merit the fullest independent investigation; considers that a full and comprehensive inquiry or review into the Compass asylum accommodation contracts across the UK is now required, particularly given recent allegations concerning performance of the Compass contracts in Middlesbrough and Cardiff; and believes that all local authorities and communities, and the devolved governments where applicable, must be fully involved in any Home Office decisions to widen asylum dispersal including who they are expected to contract and work with in the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 34 MPs.