The first group of asylum seekers has boarded the Bibby Stockholm housing barge in Portland, Dorset, after delays due to safety concerns. The Home Office confirmed that 15 people successfully boarded the vessel, which will eventually accommodate up to 500 men awaiting asylum decisions.
A group of about 20 asylum seekers refused to board, with legal challenges cited by refugee charity Care4Calais. The charity's chief executive, Steve Smith, stated that none of the asylum seekers they support went onto the barge, as transfers were cancelled by legal representatives. Some of those affected include individuals who are disabled, survivors of torture, modern slavery, or have experienced trauma at sea.
The barge is part of the government's plan to reduce reliance on hotels, which cost £6 million per day. Home Office minister Sarah Dines described the accommodation as 'basic but proper' and said it sends a 'forceful message' about deterring illegal migration. However, human rights groups have criticised the scheme, with Amnesty International comparing it to 'prison hulks from the Victorian era'.
The Fire Brigades Union has raised safety concerns over narrow exits and possible overcrowding. The Home Office maintains the barge is safe and has been used previously in Germany and the Netherlands. Ministers hope to use further barges, but have faced difficulty finding ports willing to host them.
As of June, a record 50,546 asylum seekers were housed in contingency accommodation, with the backlog of initial decisions at 136,779. The government is also exploring other options, including the potential use of Ascension Island for deportations.
