Bibby Stockholm: Health and security employee checks now delaying barge taking asylum seekers

Delays to transferring asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge are actually being attributable to checks on working practices, Sky News understands.

A Home Office supply confirmed experiences that fireplace issues of safety did result in preliminary setbacks, saying a door had been placed on the unsuitable method spherical.

But now that has been mounted, there may be one other maintain up as a result of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working practices for port authority staff, they added.

Politics dwell: Net zero debate rages as Downing Street hosts vitality summit

The barge, which is presently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start out accepting arrivals final week, however the date was pushed again as extra work was wanted.

The first folks have been then as a result of transfer on to the vessel on Tuesday this week, however that additionally was held up after final minute conferences have been held responding to fireside security issues.

The 222-bedroom Bibby Stockholm will ultimately home as much as 500 male asylum seekers who’re presently staying in resorts, as the federal government seeks to chop its lodging prices whereas their claims are processed.

But the present plan is to start out with 50 folks – when the vessel is prepared.

The barge may have 24-hour safety and accommodate single males solely, who will sleep in bunk beds with between two and 6 folks per en-suite room.

Reports of fireside issues of safety surfaced in latest days, with the Fire Brigades Union claiming the federal government was taking “a reckless approach to the safety and well-being of both vulnerable refugees and firefighters”.

Asked in regards to the issues, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated on Tuesday: “All migrant accommodation has to go through a series of checks and inspections to make sure it complies with regulations. That’s what’s happening in this case.

“This is in the end about equity. I do not suppose it is truthful that British taxpayers are forking out £6m a day to deal with unlawful migrants in resorts.”

The vessel has attracted a backlash from native Tory MPs as nicely, with Chris Loder demanding to see security experiences, claiming the barge was going to deal with double the quantity of individuals it was designed to carry.