What are the Government’s plans for migrants? Barges, RAF bases and cruise ships could replace hotels

The Government is proposing to house migrants in barges and on RAF bases as it tries to move asylum seekers away from hotels, which are costing £6.8 million a day.

A Refugee Council report said the Home Office could need nearly 1,500 hotels over the next three years, which would cost £20 billion, if it failed to find an alternative.

A Government spokesperson said: “We have always been upfront about the unprecedented pressure being placed on our asylum system, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country. We continue to work across government and with local authorities to identify a range of accommodation options. The Government remains committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as part of this process.”

Here are the different aspects of the government’s plans for migrants to the UK that have been attracting attention in recent days.

Barges

The Government has proposed using barges to house migrants, according to The Times. It reported that ministers have “procured an ‘accommodation barge’”, which is “being refitted”. Housing migrants on a barge with only basic facilities is said to be part of a plan to deter migrants from entering the UK.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said he was unsure if contracts had been signed but told LBC: “Those details will be set out by the immigration minister. Of course using vessels to do it is not uncommon in other parts of Europe.”

RAF bases

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick was expected to announce the use of two military sites to house migrants. The bases set to be proposed are said to be RAF Wethersfield, Essex, and RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Each site could hold up to 2,000 migrants, according to the BBC.

Wethersfield residents have expressed their concerns about the Government’s plans, particularly about safety issues and lack of infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh said West Lindsey District Council will issue an “immediate judicial review and injunction” against the “thoroughly bad decision” to house 1,500 asylum seekers at RAF Scampton.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also proposed Catterick Garrison barracks in his North Yorkshire constituency.

Cruise ships

The Government is also said to be planning to house migrants on disused cruise ships, as reported by the Guardian. One option is a vessel that would be moored in south-west England.

The Guardian also reported that the cruise ships could be registered as hotels rather than detention centres to dodge possible legal challenges.

When the prime minister first suggested using ships to house migrants during his leadership campaign last summer, he was warned that it could be illegal.

Empty holiday parks

The Government was reportedly considering housing migrants at a Pontins holiday park in north-west England, but the plans were dropped following a number of objections from Sefton council.

The Guardian reported that the council raised concerns about the impact on tourism and the logistics of accessing the site.