Plans to house hundreds of asylum seekers in two UK military barracks have been officially delayed, the government has confirmed, as ministers seek to avoid a repeat of the safety failures and chaos that plagued previous accommodation schemes.
Safety First Approach After Past Failures
The Home Office had intended to move people to Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex by December. The strategy was part of a wider effort to reduce the reliance on expensive hotel accommodations while asylum claims are processed.
However, this target will now be missed. Officials have paused the moves, citing significant safety concerns and a determination not to replicate the rushed processes that led to unsafe and chaotic situations under the previous Conservative government.
A Legacy of Costly Mistakes
This cautious approach comes in the wake of several high-profile and expensive failures. The most notable was the Bibby Stockholm barge, which had to be evacuated and closed for several weeks after the discovery of dangerous Legionella bacteria onboard.
A subsequent report from charities highlighted severe mental health issues among those housed on the barge, and the facility saw the tragic death of a 27-year-old Albanian asylum seeker.
Other costly missteps under the Tories include a failed attempt to use the RAF Scampton site, which cost the taxpayer at least £48 million, and the purchase of the derelict HMP Northeye site for £15.4 million in September 2023, a plan that was later abandoned entirely.
Government Vows to Break the Cycle
A Home Office spokesperson expressed frustration at the current system, stating: "We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels." They confirmed that using large military sites remains a key part of the government's immigration reform strategy.
However, they emphasised the new priority: "We are continuing to accelerate plans to move people into Crowborough and Cameron Barracks, when the sites are fully operational and safe. We will not replicate the mistakes of the past where rushed plans have led to unsafe and chaotic situations that impacts the local community."
Both barracks have a history of providing emergency accommodation, having been used to house Afghans evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021.
The delay follows strong criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who earlier this year blamed the previous administration for leaving a "huge mess" in the asylum system due to its failure to process claims efficiently.
