The United Kingdom has initiated a move to transfer some asylum seekers to a large residential barge located on its southern coast. This decision is part of the government’s efforts to explore more cost-effective alternatives to hotels for temporary housing while processing asylum claims.
The UK government aims to reduce factors attracting asylum seekers to the country, where over 50,000 individuals are currently residing in hotels after arriving on small dinghies across the English Channel. While barges and disused military sites are being considered for this purpose, local communities have expressed protests, raising concerns about potential impacts on services and whether these sites might become targets for demonstrations. Critics have also described the housing for asylum seekers from countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, or Albania as inhumane.
The residential barge, named Bibby Stockholm, will only accommodate single men and offer “basic and functional” living conditions, along with healthcare services, catering facilities, and onboard security. However, opposition politicians and activists have strongly criticized this approach, considering it a disrespectful treatment of vulnerable individuals who have fled from harrowing situations.
Despite the protests, the government emphasizes the need to increase the number of sites available to house migrants, especially as the cost of hotels has risen significantly, amounting to £6 million ($7.7 million) per day.
As of Monday, approximately 50 migrants were expected to be transferred to the Bibby Stockholm barge. The UK government assures that they are working closely with local authorities and partners to ensure the safety and well-being of both asylum seekers and the wider community.
