Asylum seekers could be moved to military barracks in Wiltshire
It's under new government plans to empty migrant hotels
Asylum seekers could be moved to military barracks in Wiltshire under new government plans to empty migrant hotels.
As of June 2025 there were around 32,000 refugees staying in UK hotels while they wait for their asylum claims to be processed.
But following a summer of protests, the government has promised to end the use of hotels – and it is looking at military barracks as an alternative, defence secretary John Healey confirmed on Sunday.
As a county, Wiltshire has more Army barracks than any other in the UK.
The Tidworth, Netheravon & Bulford Garrison comprises 16 separate barracks, while a further four are at Larkhill Garrison and three are at Warminster Garrison.
There are also barracks at Hullavington, Colerne, Westbury, Corsham, and Upavon and two at Lyneham.
In 2023, 75 temporary modular units were built to house military personnel at Hullavington during a five-year upgrade of the barracks.
And in 2024 new modular buildings were erected at Upavon barracks as part of the Army’s £1.4 billion programme to create 8,500 new living spaces.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached the MoD, asking if any of Wiltshire’s military bases are being considered for temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
It has received no response.