Q+A on the Home Office decision to house asylum seekers in the Mercure Hotel outside Dumfries

All requests for further information on the decision making or policy background behind asylum seekers should be directed to the MP for the local area at John.Cooper.MP@parliament.uk. All requests for information on the daily running of this contingency hotel should be directed to Mears at aire.sdc@mearshousing.co.uk.

What is asylum dispersal?

Asylum dispersal refers to measures which ensure asylum seekers are accommodated more equally across the whole of the UK. In 2022 the Scottish Strategic Migration Partnership (hosted by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA)) agreed that any widening of asylum dispersal measures should be shared on a proportional basis among all 32 local authority areas in Scotland. Discussions take place between the relevant local public sector partners and Mears, the company contracted by the Home Office to support asylum seekers. Details are finalised about the dispersal housing being used, and arrangements are put in place well in advance.

What is asylum contingency accommodation?

Due to there being a significant lack of available accommodation for asylum seekers across the UK, as well as processing backlogs, the Home Office contractor Mears arranges contingency accommodation, usually hotels, which is very short term until longer term dispersal accommodation can be found somewhere in the UK. There is often little or no notice to local public sector partners about the selection of the hotels, or the arrival of the asylum seekers. The hotel contracted outside Dumfries is considered contingency accommodation.

On this occasion, a hotel outside Dumfries was selected and approved by the Home Office contractor Mears as contingency accommodation for single-male asylum seekers.

The below Q+As will help to answer questions about the contract and explain the wider context regarding asylum seekers. Neither Dumfries and Galloway Council nor any of our community planning partners are involved in the decision-making or management of the hotel contract, so all requests for further information should be directed as above.

What is happening locally?

The hotel and facilities

Why have the asylum seekers been placed in the hotel?

The Home Office is dealing with significant pressures while processing asylum claims and has identified the need to widen contingency accommodation provision across the whole of the UK. It is understood that a number of hotels in Scotland being used for this purpose.

Will there be other guests in the hotel?

The hotel will not be accommodating any other guests for the duration of the contract.

What is the position about Planning and Building Standards approvals, especially about the sewerage system?

All necessary Planning and Building Standards approvals were put in place for the hotel's opening in January 2023.  The property continues to be used as a hotel and so there is no 'Change of Use' required for its use for asylum seekers. Mercure Hotel owners have a Certificate which allows them to have a temporary sewerage arrangement of a cesspit in place, with the application for a permanent arrangement of an overflow pipe, approved in July 2023.

Was Dumfries and Galloway Council asked if the hotel could be used for this?

Neither Dumfries and Galloway Council nor the community planning partners who lead on resettlement work locally were involved in making the decision to house asylum seekers in the hotel. The decision rests with the Home Office.

Does my councillor, MP or MSP know about the hotel?

Yes, councillors, local community planning partners and MSPs have been told about the Home Office's plan. These plans came into effect when a previous MP represented the local area, however the current MP has been made aware of the hotel contract.

The asylum seekers being accommodated

Will the people being accommodated be single persons or families?

It is our understanding that the contract Mears has secured is for single-male asylum seekers. Rooms in the hotel are a mix of single occupancy rooms and twin rooms, with room sharing in place only where space and individual circumstances allow. Asylum seekers who meet specific exemption criteria are not required to share their room with another asylum seeker.

How long will the asylum seekers have been in the country and where have they come from?

The Home Office does not comment on individual cases, so will not be able to give background information on the asylum seekers; some may be newly arrived in the UK, while others may already have been awaiting a decision on their asylum claim for some time.

Asylum seekers come from many parts of the world. The most recent UK Government statistics indicate that the highest numbers came from Iran, Albania and Iraq.

Safety and security

How are local residents and businesses being supported?

Local community planning partners have assisted with this by visiting the adjacent properties to provide them with background information and clarity about the arrangements that Mears and the hotel have in place. Mears also held a meeting with the residents in adjacent properties.

Are the asylum seekers allowed to leave the accommodation?

Yes. Asylum seekers are not detained under immigration law, and they are free to leave the hotel. The Home Office expects the asylum seekers to return to the hotel at night to sleep, and any extended absence longer than 7 nights would be reported to the Home Office, but they are free to spend time in the community if they so wish.

In response to road and pedestrian safety concerns expressed by Dumfries and Galloway Council, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Mears provides a bus shuttle to and from Dumfries. Road safety advice has been given to the asylum seekers and other measures are also being put in place.

Local Third-Sector partners have also supported with refurbishing donated bikes for some of the asylum seekers living in the hotel. Cycling safety training has been provided to all those with bikes, and the necessary safety equipment has been supplied.

What security has been put in place?

The safety of the asylum seekers and local people is of the utmost importance. 24/7 security provision is in operation at the hotel and Police Scotland is also taking measures including weekly visits to ensure the safety of everyone living in, living nearby, or visiting the hotel.

Mears also supply all arrivals at the hotel with clear guidance on Scots Law, which sets out the acceptable standards of behaviour which asylum seekers must demonstrate while living in Scotland and their rights. Regular information sessions are also held by Mears which focus on helping the men living in the hotel to understand the cultural context of Scotland including how to access social support groups, as well as acceptable attitudes toward areas like sexual health (including consent), harassment, and violent behaviour. This includes both expectations placed on asylum seekers to behave according to the law, and their own expectations as to how others should behave toward them.

Police statistics show that people seeking asylum are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators of crime.

What security checks are undertaken on asylum seekers?

Asylum seekers are screened by the Asylum Intake Unit and are required to go through a security check including body scans and searches. If there is a security concern, asylum seekers will be detained. If there are no concerns, an assessment is made to ensure that the property/hotel is an appropriate place for them to be accommodated. The Home Office notify Mears of any previous known offences and perceived risks in advance of arrival.

Wellbeing and support

Who is responsible for asylum seekers' welfare in hotels?

Mears is responsible for the day to day running of the hotels and the welfare of the individuals being accommodated. A welfare officer is available to the asylum seekers on site seven days a week during business hours, and there is a 24/7 support helpline that they can seek support through during hours when no on-site welfare staff are available.

What is the position about the health of the asylum seekers?

Mears work with the local NHS to offer an initial health screening to each asylum seeker on their arrival in the region. Asylum seekers now access medical services when needed through the usual routes in the same way as any person living in the region.

What are you as a council doing to help?

Dumfries and Galloway Council has no role in the decision to house asylum seekers in this hotel - but is working closely with local partners, to arrange the right level of support to the local community and those being accommodated in the hotel.

The Council has limited statutory responsibilities to assist asylum seekers - it includes support for any asylum seekers involved in age disputes and looking after any service users who are under the age of 18 at the time of the conclusion of their age dispute. Along with local public and third sector partners, our Resettlement Board supports Mears and the hotel to ensure that the privacy and dignity of the asylum seekers is respected and protected, that they are welcomed into our community, and the impact on local people and services is minimised.

Our Council and local partners are working with other councils and organisations across Scotland to share good practice and ideas and ensure that we deal with any problems as quickly and effectively as possible.

Can asylum seekers claim benefits or work or drive?

Asylum seekers have very limited access to funds, receiving just £8.86 per week. Mears provides basic meals via the hotel three times per day, with snacks available. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work within the first 12 months of waiting for asylum applications to be processed. People who have claimed asylum in the UK can apply for permission to work in the UK if they have been waiting 12 months or more for a decision on their application for asylum, however they are only able to take work in a limited number of fields which are outlined in the Immigration Salary List. Asylum seekers are allowed to do volunteer work, but they cannot volunteer in any capacity with private sector organisations and must only do voluntary work for third-sector or public bodies. Asylum seekers are not eligible to drive in the UK.

If asylum seekers receive £8.86 weekly, how will they buy essential goods and clothes?

Mears will ensure that people's basic needs are met. Charities and the third sector seek and receive donations that give additional assistance to the asylum seekers during their stay. These organisations' websites and social media advise of the most appropriate items to donate.

What will the asylum seekers do for entertainment? How will asylum seekers spend their time?

Mears organise some activities, including exercise and recreation at the hotel and in some local venues, to assist in their wellbeing. Television and wi-fi is available. Online connectivity is essential for people claiming asylum. It allows them to liaise with the Home Office, progress their application, attend legal meetings and stay in touch with family around the world.

In addition, asylum seekers are being supported to attend English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) classes and are being encouraged to join in multicultural activities and make the most of the area and free events that are on offer. Some of the asylum seekers are also volunteering at various projects to help in the local community.

What provision is made for their faith?

Mears are ensuring that faith support is made available as part of their welfare commitment. Information about different faith communities in the region is available at the hotel, and asylum seekers are being warmly welcomed into worship and other activities by these groups.

Any faith-based dietary needs are considered by Mears and have been factored into the planning of the meal preparation.

Will asylum seekers be given priority to get local housing?

Asylum seekers are unable to get help with housing from the local council and they are unable to hold a tenancy. If they receive refugee status and permission to stay in the UK, they then have 28 days' notice to leave the hotel and can then look for help with housing. Most asylum seekers are likely to move to more urban areas where they could have more established communities and where there are more employment and housing opportunities.

How can I help with this work?

Charities and third sector organisations will advertise volunteering opportunities and any requests for donations - the Scottish Refugee Council, Massive Outpouring Of Love (MOOL), Dumfries & Galloway Trades Union Council and the Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association (DGMA) are all supporting this work and you can contact them on their websites or via their social media channels.

Understanding asylum more broadly

What is an asylum seeker?

Asylum is protection given by a country to someone fleeing from persecution in their own country: so an asylum seeker is someone who has applied for asylum and is awaiting a decision from the Home Office. If they are granted asylum, they would be granted "refugee status" and would be able to begin the process of settling in the UK on a permanent basis.

What percentage of people seeking asylum are given refugee status and permission to stay in the UK?

Seventy-five per cent of people who claim asylum are granted refugee status (95% for Syrians, Afghans, Libyans, Yemeni and Eritreans).

How many asylum seekers are there in the UK?

Around 150,000 people across the UK have asylum-seeker status and are awaiting a decision by the Home Office.

Why do people enter the UK illegally?

To claim asylum in the UK, a person must be in the UK. It is not possible to apply from outside the country, and there is no asylum visa to enable people to travel legally to the UK to apply for asylum. Therefore, for people who do not have visa free travel to the UK, they must enter irregularly, such as by small boat, lorry, or by using false documents, or on a visa for some other purpose, such as tourism or study.

What gender are the majority of asylum seekers?

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), women and girls make up about half of any asylum seeking, refugee or internally displaced population.

However, women and children may be left in refugee camps in neighbouring countries while the men leave the camp to take the risky and often deadly trip to another country.

Families that travel together in a big group have a harder time with the logistics. Women and children are also at much higher risk of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation by traffickers and organised criminal gangs on the route. Therefore, families may stay behind and wait until the men have applied for asylum and the rest of their family will then follow in a much safer way.

Does the UK have more asylum seekers and refugees than other countries?

No. The vast majority - 80 per cent - of the world's asylum seekers and refugees are living in countries neighbouring their country of origin, often developing countries. Turkey is the biggest refugee-hosting country in the world.

Why don't asylum seekers stay in the first safe country?

Most asylum seekers do stay in the first safe country they reach. However, the number one reason that asylum seekers give for continuing their journey to the UK is that they have family ties here. Other factors are more practical. For example, if they speak English, they have more chance of being able to find a job in the UK than elsewhere, and navigating everyday tasks like public transport or going shopping will be much easier.

It is not uncommon for asylum seekers to state their belief that the UK is a safe, tolerant and democratic country and refer to previous links between their own country and the UK.

There is no legal requirement for an asylum seeker to make a claim in any particular country.

Where do most asylum seekers in the UK live?

Approximately 50,000 asylum seekers live with friends or family, around 45,000 people are in independent asylum housing, and roughly 55,000 people are in asylum contingency hotels.