Lord German Asks Oral Question on Wethersfield Asylum Accommodation

On 28th of November RAMP Associate Lord German asked whether the Government plans to close the Wethersfield asylum site and increase the use of dispersal accommodation. He referenced prior commitments from the Prime Minister and Home Secretary to close the site, citing NGO reports about poor conditions and mental health concerns among residents.

In response, Lord Hanson stated that the Government is focused on reducing reliance on asylum accommodation by clearing the backlog, increasing returns, and expanding dispersed accommodation to meet obligations while considering local impacts. He noted recent closures, such as the "Bibby Stockholm" and Scampton, and emphasised ongoing reviews as numbers decline.