Union demands meeting with home secretary over barge safety fears
Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has dismissed claims that the Bibby Stockholm is a "death trap"
Last updated 2nd Aug 2023
The firefighters' union has called for an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary over safety concerns raised about a barge due to house migrants in Dorset.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it has written to Suella Braverman asking to discuss fears about overcrowding and access to fire exits on the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port.
It followed reports of the union's assistant general secretary Ben Selby warning that firefighters believe the vessel is a "potential deathtrap".
The comment has been dismissed by Energy Secretary Grant Shapps.
In the letter, Mr Selby said: "Firefighting operations on vessels such as the Bibby Stockholm provide significant challenges and require specialist training and safe systems of work.
"The diminished safety provisions only exacerbate our operational concerns.
"The FBU has expressed concerns about plans to exempt accommodation provided by the Home Office for asylum seekers from needing an HMO (house in multiple occupation) licence.
"We are concerned about the risks on a large floating structure used to accommodate asylum seekers in long-term housing and would expect the risk assessment to recommend substantial prevention and control measures to tackle overcrowding, access to fire exits and other safety matters on the vessel.
"The FBU seeks an urgent meeting with you and your officials to discuss these matters.
"We have substantial expertise, including from earlier disasters such as the Grenfell Tower fire and the subsequent public inquiry.
"We are concerned above all to prevent another tragedy and to guarantee public safety."
The Home Secretary's spokesman would not respond when asked if Ms Braverman would meet the union and said the letter had not been received.
The plans to move migrants on to the barge have been beset by delays, with government sources now suggesting the first arrivals may not be on board until next week.
Staff were seen carrying provisions on to the vessel on Wednesday morning.
Pictures showed a food delivery being unloaded from a Bidfood wholesaler truck, suggesting final preparations ahead of the arrivals are under way.
Steve Smith, chief executive of refugee support charity Care4Calais, said he fears housing migrants on the barge is an "accident waiting to happen" amid fire safety concerns.
Mayor of Portland Carralyn Parkes criticised the plans and described them as "cruel" while raising concerns about the impact the move could have on the island's infrastructure and services.