Refugee Action today called on the government to ensure private contractors do not stigmatise vulnerable asylum seekers by drawing unnecessary attention to them and compromising their safety.

The call follows The Times’ revelation last week, that the sub-contractor responsible for housing asylum seekers’ in Middlesbrough was painting  their doors red; followed by news yesterday that asylum seekers at a Cardiff accommodation centre were forced to wear coloured wristbands in order to claim meals.

Refugee Action, Chief Executive, Stephen Hale says:

“It is outrageous that in the space of a week two incidences have emerged that demonstrate a careless attitude by government subcontractors to the safety and well-being of vulnerable asylum seekers.

“The Home Office must insist all its contractors carry out an immediate review of their practices to ensure these incidents do not occur in the future

“Any measure by housing providers which stigmatises or further isolates people who have already fled the horrors of war and persecution to seek safety in Britain has to be stopped.”

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