Asylum seekers won’t be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge on Tuesday as deliberate after final minute conferences responding to fireside security considerations, Sky News understands.
However, there’s nonetheless a chance that they could possibly be moved on to the barge – which is presently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset – later this week.
A Home Office spokesperson mentioned the vessel is “undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers”.
“This is part of the government’s plan to reduce the use of expensive hotels and offer alternative accommodation that is more manageable and better value for communities, just like our European neighbours are already doing,” they added.
“We continue to work closely with Dorset and Portland councils, as well as the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact in Portland, including providing substantial funding to local services, to address the local community’s concerns.”
The first asylum seekers had been initially resulting from transfer on to the barge final week, however Sky News reported that their arrival had been pushed again till Tuesday this week.
In a tweet on 18 July saying its arrival, the Home Office mentioned: “Next week the first asylum seekers will be moved to the vessel as part of a carefully structured plan which will increase the numbers gradually.”
However, the Times reported that critical security considerations had been raised concerning the facility and that approval from the hearth service was excellent.
One supply informed the paper of fears that the vessel may change into a “floating Grenfell” – a reference to the hearth that broke out on the West London tower block in 2017, killing 72 individuals.
The 222-bedroom barge will begin housing 50 single males initially earlier than housing as much as 500 people who find themselves presently staying in resorts.
It is only one of a variety of various websites the federal government has positioned to finish using resorts, which is costing the taxpayer round £6m a day.
As properly because the barge, the Home Office additionally plans to maneuver individuals into disused army websites, together with RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and Wethersfield Airfield in Essex.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has additionally bought marquees to deal with as much as 2,0000 asylum seekers at disused army websites, in a transfer that has been criticised as “staggering” and “cruel” by critics.
Content Source: information.sky.com