A Home Office spokesperson said:
"From today, we are beginning to move people back on to the Bibby
Stockholm in Portland. All necessary tests including health, fire
and water checks have been completed, and are all
satisfactory.
"The number of people on board will increase gradually with more
arrivals in the coming days and months, as part of a carefully
structured, phased approach.
“This is part of the government’s pledge to reduce the use of
expensive hotels and bring forward alternative accommodation
options which provide a more cost effective, sustainable and
manageable system for the UK taxpayer and local communities.”
Background:
- Accommodation is offered to asylum seekers on a no-choice
basis and any asylum seeker who refuses accommodation may have
their government support withdrawn.
- The use of vessels is a tried and tested approach that
mirrors that taken by our European neighbours and the Scottish
Government and offers better value for the British
taxpayer.
- The Bibby Stockholm will be operational for at least 18
months and stay berthed in the port during that time.
- Dorset Council is receiving £3,500 per occupied bedspace. In
addition, funding is being provided to the local NHS and police
this financial year to help minimise the impact on local
services. There is an on-site primary health service to reduce
the impact on local NHS services.
- The Bibby Stockholm has previously safely and comfortably
housed workers from various industries, including shipyard
workers, construction workers and offshore construction workers.
- The capacity of the Bibby Stockholm remains 504. The number
of asylum seekers onboard the vessel at any one time is likely to
vary due to a number of factors, including individuals exiting
the asylum system once a decision has been made.
- CTM has contracted Landry & Kling to run the vessel on
behalf of the Home Office. They also ran the two vessels used by
the Scottish Government to house Ukrainian refugees in Glasgow
and Edinburgh.
- The Home Office has scrutinised the accommodation sites’
value for money compared to hotels. It is clear that the sites
are cheaper than hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.
- The government is under a legal obligation to provide
support, usually including accommodation, to asylum seekers who
would be otherwise be destitute.
- To reduce hotel use the Home Office is also making sure that
asylum seekers routinely share hotel rooms with at least one
person where appropriate, in order to make progress on work to
reduce the use of hotels and minimise the impact on communities
while we stand up these alternatives sites.
- The Prime Minister and the government have been repeatedly
clear that there is more to do to stop the boats and we are now
going even further through our Illegal Migration Act to make sure
that people who come here illegally won’t have their asylum claim
considered in the UK and instead can be detained and swiftly
removed.
