Will the Minister clarify whether any Welsh Government Minister has undertaken discussions with the UK Government in relation to the housing of asylum seekers at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Dolgarrog?
The UK Government failed to consult, notify or involve Welsh Government Ministers and officials in advance, regarding the use of the hotel in North Wales for asylum seekers.
The Minister for Social Justice wrote to the Minister for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP on the 8th November 2022 outlining the Welsh Government’s concerns around the suitability of using the hotel and the lack of engagement from the UK Government on this matter. A response has not yet been received from the UK Government Minister; no discussions have been undertaken.
Welsh Government officials also wrote to senior Home Office officials requesting an update and an urgent meeting on the decision to use the hotel. Home Office officials attended a meeting of the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership on 10 November where these issues were discussed. They have subsequently responded to Welsh Government, indicating they are taking urgent steps to ensure that, in future, key partners including Welsh Government are informed in a timely manner.