Written questions by Davies.

How many asylum seekers have been moved from the Copthorne Hotel since 22 January 2026; and how many asylum seekers are still located at the site.

The Home Office keeps the use of contingency accommodation under continual review to ensure that resources are managed responsibly while upholding our statutory obligations to support eligible asylum seekers.However, for reasons of safety, security and the welfare of both service users and staff, the Home Office does not disclose operationally sensitive information relating to individual accommodation sites, including the movement of asylum seekers into or out of specific hotels.It would not be appropriate for the department to comment on the operational status or use of any individual location.

Since the morning of Thursday 22nd January, how many asylum seekers have been moved into the accommodation in Crowborough; and how many asylum seekers since the aforementioned date have absconded from the site.

The first 27 migrants moved onto the site on 22nd January, and occupancy will be scaled up with total capacity over 500. Initial intakes will be low in numbers and gradual, taking a phased and incremental approach to full occupancy.Asylum seekers at the site are not detained, however the site is self-contained as essential services are provided on site to reduce the impact on local services through reducing the need for asylum seekers to leave the site. It is our longstanding policy not to comment on operational arrangements around sites.

On what date the Home Office received the legal action submitted by Crowborough Shield; when the Department plans to respond to that legal action; which Minister will be responsible for responding.

The Home Office takes its legal obligations seriously. The Department can confirm that it has received a claim for judicial review from Crowborough Shield. As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the timing of any response or which Minister will respond.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 90289 on Offences against Children: Wales, if she will publish the correspondence with the First Minister of Wales.

As noted in PQ 90290, the National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse will cover England and Wales. The Home Secretary has written to the First Minister to confirm this. As the Hon Member will appreciate correspondence between the Home Secretary and the First Minister of Wales is confidential and I will not be publishing the letter.

What information her Department holds on whether Wealden District Council has submitted any (a) legal challenge and (b) letter before action to any aspects of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in relation to the Crowborough Training Camp and Asylum Seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.We continue to engage with local authorities, property partners and cross-government to assess feasibility and accelerate delivery where possible, ensuring any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We do not comment on legal matters. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

What discussions she has had with Wealden District Council on (a) the steps it is taking to ensure that objections from the public are invited in relation to any proposed development at the Crowborough Training Camp and Asylum Seeker accommodation and (b) how any objections would be fed into their consultation process.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.We continue to engage with local authorities, property partners and cross-government to assess feasibility and accelerate delivery where possible, ensuring any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We do not comment on legal matters. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

If Wealden District Council is responsible for leading local stakeholder engagement; and share the stakeholder engagement plan in relation to the proposed use of the Crowborough Training Camp for Asylum Seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.We continue to engage with local authorities, property partners and cross-government to assess feasibility and accelerate delivery where possible, ensuring any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We do not comment on legal matters. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

What information her Department holds on the legal challenges made by Wealden District Council relating to the publicising of applications under section 293B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to the Crowborough Training Camp and Asylum Seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.We continue to engage with local authorities, property partners and cross-government to assess feasibility and accelerate delivery where possible, ensuring any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We do not comment on legal matters. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on (a) when and (b) how often they can issue legal stop notices in relation to the housing of asylum seekers in their areas.

Planning enforcement action is not a matter for the Home Office.  This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities across the country so that the Home Office continues to meet its statutory obligations while also carefully considering the impact on local areas.

What information her Department holds on whether any directions enabling or inviting objections to a section 293B application regarding the Crowborough Training Camp and Asylum Seeker accommodation have been issued Wealden District Council.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.We continue to engage with local authorities, property partners and cross-government to assess feasibility and accelerate delivery where possible, ensuring any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We do not comment on legal matters. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether she has met with, consulted or received submissions from the Ashdown Forest Conservators on the proposed use of the Crowborough Training Camp for asylum seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.The Home Secretary will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether the Secretary of State has issued any directions under section 293B(13) to Wealden District Council relating to site notices or other publicity requirements for the Crowborough Training Camp and asylum seeker accommodation application.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.The Home Secretary will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether she has exercised powers under section 293B(9) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to require the publication of notices in relation to any such application concerning the Crowborough Training Camp and asylum seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.The Home Secretary will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether her Department has submitted the required information under section 293B(7) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in relation to an application by the Ministry of Defence concerning the use of Crowborough Training Camp for asylum seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.The Home Secretary will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

What steps she has taken to help victims of grooming gangs in Wales.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The police will respond to all allegations of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, ensuring that victims are protected and offenders are brought to justice.The National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse will cover England and Wales. The Home Secretary has written to the First Minister to confirm this.We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and safeguarding partners to address ongoing crimes and protect vulnerable children across Wales and the rest of the UK.We are also providing £2.59 million in 2025-26 for the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund, providing a range of support services with national reach. As part of the fund, this year we have provided £193,515 to Cyfannol Women’s Aid.The Home Office also launched the invitation-to-tender for the national Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) Service contract in September 2025, which will expand coverage from two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales to all local authorities in England and Wales.The service provides specialist modern slavery and child exploitation expertise to ensure child victims are protected from further harm, prevent possible repeat victimisation or re-trafficking, and promote the child’s recovery. It supports child victims of sexual exploitation and grooming who have been referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), and the professionals working with them.The Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) provides specialist support to adult victims of exploitation and trafficking who have been identified through the NRM in England and Wales. This includes adults who experienced sexual exploitation as children.

If she will make (a) an assessment of the potential merits of launching a Wales-wide inquiry into grooming gangs and (b) it her policy to tackle ongoing crimes relating to grooming gangs in Wales.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The police will respond to all allegations of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, ensuring that victims are protected and offenders are brought to justice.The National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse will cover England and Wales. The Home Secretary has written to the First Minister to confirm this.We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and safeguarding partners to address ongoing crimes and protect vulnerable children across Wales and the rest of the UK.We are also providing £2.59 million in 2025-26 for the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund, providing a range of support services with national reach. As part of the fund, this year we have provided £193,515 to Cyfannol Women’s Aid.The Home Office also launched the invitation-to-tender for the national Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) Service contract in September 2025, which will expand coverage from two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales to all local authorities in England and Wales.The service provides specialist modern slavery and child exploitation expertise to ensure child victims are protected from further harm, prevent possible repeat victimisation or re-trafficking, and promote the child’s recovery. It supports child victims of sexual exploitation and grooming who have been referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), and the professionals working with them.The Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) provides specialist support to adult victims of exploitation and trafficking who have been identified through the NRM in England and Wales. This includes adults who experienced sexual exploitation as children

Whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on (a) when and (b) how often they can issue legal stop notices in relation to the housing of asylum seekers in their areas.

Planning enforcement action is not a matter for the Home Office.  This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities across the country so that the Home Office continues to meet its statutory obligations while also carefully considering the impact on local areas.

How much funding her Department has allocated to Wealden District Council for each asylum seeker.

We are working closely with key stakeholders including local health partnersto minimise the impact on the local community. Total costs will be included inthe Departments Annual Report and Accounts in the normal way.

How many former seasonal workforce officers were offered permanent positions after their contacts ended prior to 2024; and how many vacancies there were for them in 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 23 July to PQ UIN 68079.

What the budget was for the seasonal workforce for Border Force in 2024.

The budget for Border Force’s Seasonal Workforce was £9.424m for calendar year 2024.