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1 May 2024 - Home Affairs Committee - Oral evidence session

Committee Home Affairs Committee
Inquiries Fire and Rescue Service, One off evidence session: the Brook House Inquiry

Wednesday 1 May 2024

Start times: 9:00am (private) 9:30am (public)


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Evidence sessions on Brook House Inquiry report and Fire and Rescue Service Culture 

The Home Affairs Committee will take evidence from the Chair of the Brook House Inquiry, Kate Eves, in an evidence session examining the key findings and recommendations of its final report. 

Meeting details

At 9:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry Fire and Rescue Service
At 10:00am: Oral evidence
Work One off evidence session: the Brook House Inquiry (Non-inquiry session)

The Brook House Inquiry was launched after reports emerged of poor conditions at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre. In 2017, an undercover investigation by BBC Panorama revealed “a toxic, brutal and failing environment where self-harm and drug abuse are commonplace”.  

The inquiry made 33 recommendations to prevent a repeat of mistreatment seen at the facility, and warned of continued failure to learn lessons across the immigration detention estate. The session will examine the key concerns raised in the report and how progress in implementing its improvements will be monitored. Members of the Home Affairs Committee visited Brook House earlier this year, and this will inform their questioning. 

Before this the Committee will speak to Chief Officer of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton about measures she has taken to improve the workplace culture in her service. It will examine how more women can be attracted to careers in the fire service, and what can be done to tackle the culture of bullying, harassment and discrimination. 

Location

The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

How to attend