Home Office Criticized for £15m Purchase of Asbestos-Contaminated Site

A National Audit Office report reveals rushed decisions and lack of due diligence in acquiring a derelict prison for asylum accommodation.

The Home Office spent £15.4 million on a former prison site contaminated with asbestos, which was deemed unsuitable for housing asylum seekers.
The site was initially purchased by a private company for £6.3 million, leading to a significant profit when sold to the government.
A report by the National Audit Office highlights that the purchase was fast-tracked, bypassing standard due diligence and approval processes.
The decision to acquire the site was driven by political pressure to reduce reliance on hotels for asylum seekers, following a statement by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The acquisition has been criticized for wasting taxpayer money, and the Public Accounts Committee plans to investigate further to prevent similar issues.