The Fire Brigades Union has today attacked UK Government proposals to strip back fire risk assessment rules for asylum seekers' accommodation.
According to plans published in May, the government plans to exempt accommodation provided on behalf the Home Office for asylum seekers from needing an HMO license. The HMO licencing process gives Local Authorities a duty to check that adequate safety measures and equipment is in place.
The union said that exempting sites for asylum seekers from the rules that apply to other buildings could lead to the tragic loss of life and injury.
It warned that firefighters would be forced to risk their safety to save those placed at risk by the removal of basic fire health and safety regulations.
The intervention of the Fire Brigades Union puts mounting pressure on the policy, following criticism from Labour last month.
Ben Selby, Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary, said:
It's utterly shameful that the UK Government is cutting back fire safety risk assessments for accommodation used to house asylum seekers. This policy could have tragic consequences with the loss of life and injury.
The government is taking a callous and reckless approach to the wellbeing of asylum seekers.
It is also playing fast and loose with the safety of firefighters whose safety could be put at risk in any blazes caused by these lax safety arrangements.
By stripping away the requirements for an HMO licence, the government is effectively stating that the lives of asylum seekers – who have fled persecution, war and disaster – are somehow of less value.
Everyone has the right to live in safe accommodation, regardless of where they were born. Firefighters don’t check passports when they rescue people, and fire safety regulations cannot discriminate either.”
