A derelict building in Liverpool that has not been a hotel for 17 years was earmarked to house asylum seekers by the government, it has been claimed.
Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker made the remarkable revelation at the Home Office Affairs Committee today as MPs questioned Home Secretary Suella Braverman over the situation regarding asylum seekers in the country.
Ms Braverman continues to face pressure over the treatment of asylum seekers at the Manston migrant processing centre, which became dangerously overcrowded earlier this year.
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During the session, Ms Barker revealed that she had been contacted by government recently to tell her that asylum seekers would imminently be placed into a hotel within her constituency. But she pointed out a major issue with the government's plan.
Ms Barker told the Home Secretary: "On November 20 I received an email from asylum support bronze command to tell me that a hotel in my constituency was going to be stood up within 24 hours. The problem with that is that the site isn't a hotel and hasn't been for over 17 years, it is derelict."
The Labour MP added that when she pointed this out to the Home Office and asked for information about the plans to house asylum seekers in her constituency, she was told this information was not readily available.
Responding, Ms Braverman said: "I don't know the particular circumstances of what's happened in this case but I am aware of real concerns about the procurement of hotels. Our main priority is to get asylum seekers accommodated through local authority housing. When we can't do that we are using hotels, which is a short-term solution for our immediate and acute needs."
Pressing the Home Secretary, Ms Barker asked: "Given this particular site has not been a hotel for over 17 years and is derelict, do you think your due diligence is working?"
A flummoxed Ms Braverman responded: "That does on the face of it sound concerning, of course a derelict piece of accommodation would not be suitable for asylum seekers or for anyone. I don't know what's happened there if I'm honest."
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