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Asylum: Crowborough Training Camp

Asked by Dr Kieran MullanConservativeHome OfficeTabled Answered 26 February 2026UIN 113282

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether asylum seekers accommodated at Crowborough Training Camp are free to leave the site; and whether restrictions are placed on their movement into Crowborough and surrounding areas.

Answered by Alex Norris

In accordance with current legislation, people with a valid pending claim for asylum are permitted to remain in the UK while their claim is being processed, and as they have permission to remain in the UK during that time, they cannot be routinely detained. Detention is primarily used to facilitate removal of those who have no lawful right to remain in the UK, and who refuse to leave voluntarily.

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.

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