3000 asylum seekers in 'alternative sites' by autumn
Last week, the Home Office announced that the first asylum seekers had moved to Wethersfield
Around 3,000 asylum seekers will be accommodated on non-hotel sites by the autumn under Rishi Sunak’s bid to “stop the boats” crossing the Channel, the Home Office has said.
The alternative sites include the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Port, Dorset, and former military sites Wethersfield in Essex and Scampton in Lincolnshire.
The move comes as part of the Government’s plan to reduce the use of hotels in housing asylum seekers – which the Home Office said costs taxpayers £6 million a day.
Fifty people are expected as part of the first group of asylum seekers to arrive on the Bibby Stockholm before numbers are steadily increased to about 500 single adult male asylum seekers by the autumn.
It is unclear when the group will arrive on the barge and the Home Office would not confirm.
The arrival of the vessel into the port on Tuesday morning was met with protest.
Last week, the Home Office announced that the first asylum seekers had moved to Wethersfield.
All three sites are said to provide “basic and functional accommodation” which is cheaper than using hotels.
Bibby Stockholm will include resources such as meals, primary health care provision, a multi-faith room, a gym and outdoor exercise facilities.
There will also be 24/7 security in place on board.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: “This Government has been clear that those who arrive in the UK illegally should not be housed in expensive hotels.
“Our use of alternative accommodation sites and vessels provide basic and appropriate standards for small boats arrivals while their claims are determined.
“We are providing substantial financial support to the local council and are committed to working with key stakeholders to ensure the Portland vessel and Wethersfield site have as little impact as possible for communities.
“Ultimately, the best way to relieve pressures on communities is to stop the boats in the first place.”
Dorset Council is receiving £3,500 per occupied bedspace on the Bibby Stockholm, with additional funding provided to the local NHS and police, the Home Office said.
The council has also received almost £380,000 in a one-off grant to help support local charity and voluntary organisations provide services on board, it is understood.
It follows the Government’s sweeping asylum reforms becoming law on Thursday as the Illegal Migration Bill became an Act of Parliament after being given royal assent.
The much-criticised flagship legislation, central to the Prime Minister’s pledge to “stop the boats” crossing the Channel, will prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means.
The Government also hopes the changes will ensure detained people are promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda, which is currently the subject of a legal challenge.
Officials are still working on when the Act will come into force and it is anticipated elements of the new laws may be implemented in stages over the coming months.
But the Home Office said that as of Thursday “people who arrive illegally under the new laws will be banned from re-entering the UK and will not be eligible for settlement or citizenship, except in limited circumstances”.