Changes to Wakefield asylum seeker centre after outbreak of coronavirus

The leader of Wakefield Council has helped to successfully lobby for changes to conditions for residents at Urban House, an initial accommodation centre based in the city and used by people who have asked for asylum.
Wakefield Town HallWakefield Town Hall
Wakefield Town Hall

In July, Coun Denise Jeffery raised urgent concerns following the publication of a Home Affairs Select Committee report, which identified that unrelated people were being expected to continue to share rooms after an outbreak of Covid-19 at Urban House, which is run by the Mears Group under a Home Office contract.

Following discussions, Mears Group has now agreed that in future people who are not in family groups will be allocated individual rooms, as part of a raft of new measures to protect people during the pandemic.

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Coun Jeffery said: “We are working with all our partners and agencies to create safe services for vulnerable people during Covid-19 so that our district is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

“I am pleased with the actions that Mears have now taken. It is the right course of action to have made these changes. We are in the midst of global pandemic and the wellbeing and safety of everyone in our district is paramount.”

Urban House has been closed since August for deep-cleaning and it is due to reopen on September 14 with new measures in place.

Mears Group has said that the new arrangements include no unrelated individuals sharing a room, health checks on site for new arrivals and social distancing measures in place. Bathrooms and rooms will also be set aside for people who need to self-isolate.