Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations he has carried out into(a) the quality of accommodation and (b) the value for money offered by accommodation for refugees in the United Kingdom. [105575]
§ Mrs. RocheRecognised refugees have freedom of movement within the United Kingdom and access to housing in the same way as other British residents. There is, therefore, no intention to make investigations into the quality of accommodation which they occupy.
A procurement exercise is currently underway for accommodation for destitute asylum seekers under new arrangements for their support by the Home Office. All tenders received are commercially confidential. As part of the process of procurement, checks will be carried out to ensure the quality, suitability and value-for-money of accommodation offered in tenders. We expect these to be carried out in a number of ways, including: scrutiny of financial and other information; visits to some properties; and specified consultation with relevant local authorities.