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Promised Home Office disability access review still not completed

Published:
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South and East STHF

Despite ministerial assurances over the last two years to the contrary, the Home Office has yet again failed to complete a disability access review for any of the locations that the South and East short-term holding facilities’ (STHFs) Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) monitors. In addition to this, the high volume of people being detained has put pressure on the already overstretched and inadequate facilities at Luton and Stansted airports.

The Board observed in its 2023-24 annual report that:

  • A number of people were being detained for over 24 hours, with 19 people held at Luton airport for over 30 hours and children being held alongside unrelated adults on some occasions.
  • There are a limited number of mattresses in the STHFs which result in people sleeping on the floor or on chairs. The Board considers this inhumane, especially given the rising number of people being detained overnight.
  • The only location with a disabled toilet is Gatwick South Terminal, there are no other facilities available for detained people with limited mobility, sight or hearing impairment.

However, the Board is pleased to report that:

  • From IMB members’ observations, Mitie Care and Custody staff appear to act with care and compassion.
  • There is now good medical support available onsite at Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports.

The IMB South and East STHF Vice Chair said:

“The Board is frustrated with the lack of progress on the provision of facilities suitable for people with limited mobility, sight or hearing impairment. The length of time taken to resolve issues with the fabric of the facilities and the apparent inability of the Home Office to develop a long-term accommodation plan for its holding facilities also continues to be a concern.

The Board asks that a plan is developed to resolve the accommodation issues at Luton and Stansted airports and that immediate steps are taken to complete the disability access review committed to over two years ago.”