Asylum hotel profits were price of my children's health, says resident

"The company's overall rate of profit on these contracts is capped at around 6%, but Mears' operations across the UK exceeded that limit to the tune of 13.8m. Mears recorded its highest rate of profit in Northern Ireland, peaking at 17%. That was partly due to the fact asylum seekers in Northern Ireland don't have to be dispersed among different local authorities like they do in the UK, reducing transport and administrative costs."

"Former residents of Mears' accommodation told BBC News NI they believed the company made its profits by denying them essentials like enough food, heating and access to hygiene. The BBC has seen complaints from more than a dozen families and individuals who lived in Mears' accommodation in Northern Ireland. A father who lived with his disabled children in one of the accommodations spoke to BBC News NI through an interpreter and on condition of anonymity."

"Northern Ireland's asylum accommodation provider, Mears, has had to return 13.8m to the Home Office after making more profit than its contracts allow. The company, which also provides asylum services in Scotland and the north of England, recorded its highest rate of profit in Northern Ireland. Mears told BBC News NI repayments were "appropriate and agreed," and that all accommodation is approved and regularly inspected by the Home Office."

Mears returned £13.8m to the Home Office after making more profit than its asylum accommodation contracts allow. The company provides asylum services in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England. Profit on these contracts is capped at about 6%, but Mears exceeded that limit overall, with Northern Ireland peaking at 17% profit. Higher margins in Northern Ireland were partly attributed to not dispersing asylum seekers among multiple local authorities, lowering transport and administrative costs. Mears said repayments were appropriate and agreed and that accommodation is approved and regularly inspected. Former residents reported serious health and nutrition problems among disabled children housed in Mears accommodation, and more than a dozen families and individuals filed complaints. Mears is working to end its use of hotels, with around 246 asylum seekers currently housed in them in Northern Ireland.

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