- The Home Office has leased a vessel to accommodate about 500
migrants in Portland Port, Dorset
- Vessel will provide basic accommodation which is
significantly cheaper than hotels
- The Home Office is exploring the use of further vessels to
accommodate migrants
- Marks the next step in progressing the Prime Minister and
Home Secretary’s priority to Stop the Boats and reduce pressure
on UK asylum system
A berthed vessel will, for the first time, accommodate asylum
seekers in the UK. It will reduce the reliance on expensive
hotels and deliver a more orderly, cost-effective and sustainable
asylum accommodation system.
Today (Wednesday 5 April), the Home Office has announced that an
accommodation barge in Portland Port, Dorset will be used to
reduce the unsustainable pressure on the UK’s asylum system and
cut the cost to the taxpayer caused by the significant increase
in Channel crossings. Currently, hotel accommodation for asylum
seekers is costing £6 million a day.
This is an important step in progressing the Prime Minister and
Home Secretary’s priority to Stop the Boats. Last week the
government announced that surplus military sites will also be
used to accommodate migrants who have entered the UK illegally on
small boats. This is part of the wider efforts to secure
alternative, more appropriate accommodation than expensive
hotels. This comes alongside the return of the landmark Illegal
Migration Bill, which is designed to stop the Channel crossings
by ending illegal entry to the UK and ensuring that those who do
come here illegally will be detained and swiftly removed.
The barge, called the Bibby Stockholm, will be berthed in
Portland Port and will accommodate about 500 single adult males
whilst their asylum claims are processed. It will provide basic
and functional accommodation, and healthcare provision, catering
facilities and 24/7 security will be in place on board, to
minimise the disruption to local communities. People whose claims
are refused and have exhausted their appeal rights will be
removed from the UK.
The use of vessels for accommodation brings the UK in line with
other countries around Europe, for example in the Netherlands
where migrants have successfully been accommodated on vessels.
The Scottish Government have also used vessels for Ukrainian
refugees.
Migrants are due to be moved onto the Bibby Stockholm in the
coming months. The Home Office is in discussions with other ports
and further vessels will be announced in due course.
Immigration Minister said:
“The Home Secretary and I have been clear that the use of
expensive hotels to house those making unnecessary and dangerous
journeys must stop. We will not elevate the interests of illegal
migrants over the British people we are elected to serve.
“We have to use alternative accommodation options, as our
European neighbours are doing – including the use of barges and
ferries to save the British taxpayer money and to prevent the UK
becoming a magnet for asylum shoppers in Europe.
“All accommodation will meet our legal obligations and we will
work closely with the local community to address their concerns,
including through financial support.”
Chief Executive of Portland Port, Bill Reeves
said:
“We are keen to play our part in the national effort to house
some of the thousands of people needing accommodation.
“We encourage everyone in the community to approach this with an
open mind and help us show other areas just how successful this
type of initiative can be, both for the migrants and the local
community.
“There will be close co-operation with local agencies, including
the health and emergency services during the preparations for the
vessel’s arrival and its operation. We will also work closely
with local community and voluntary groups.”
Bibby Stockholm will be operational for at least 18 months and
stay berthed in the port during that time.
Use of alternative accommodation such as vessels are not only
more cost effective than hotels, but they are more manageable and
orderly for communities and offers employment opportunities in
the broader area to support the vessel.
We are working closely with Portland Port, the local authority
and key partners to make sure appropriate arrangements are in
place, including liaising with local police.
The government recognises that using alternative sites and
vessels involves difficult decisions, but urgent action is needed
to reduce expensive hotel use, with the sites providing much
needed accommodation.
