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UK Govt moves asylum-seekers to a barge South England

Britain began moving some migrants on to a large residential barge on its southern coast on Monday, as part of plans to save money and remove what the government called the “pull” of hotels for those arriving in small boats. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made cracking down on illegal migration a major priority ahead of a national election expected next year, pitching his Conservatives as being tougher on the issue than the opposition Labor Party, which enjoys a strong lead in opinion polls. The Associated Press has the story:

UK Govt moves asylum-seekers to a barge South England

Newslooks- LONDON (AP)

A small group of asylum-seekers was moved Monday onto a barge moored in southern England as the U.K. government tries to cut the cost of sheltering people seeking protection in the country.

Fifteen people were transferred to the Bibby Stockholm, a floating hostel that will ultimately house up to 500 men, from other sites around the country, according to Cheryl Avery, director for asylum accommodation for the Home Office.

Supporters with welcome packs they have made hold placards outside Portland Port before the first asylum seekers arrive to board the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge, in Dorset, England, Monday Aug. 7, 2023. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

More were expected to arrive later as authorities seek to reduce the number of asylum-seekers housed in expensive hotel rooms that were requisitioned on an emergency basis as the number of arrivals has surged in recent years.

Avery said there had been some “minor legal challenges” to the transfers, but wouldn’t elaborate.

A charity for refugees, Care4Calais, said lawyers who intervened got transfers canceled for about 20 asylum-seekers.

Police officers stand guard outside Portland Port before the first asylum seekers arrive to board the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge, in Dorset, England, Monday Aug. 7, 2023. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

“Amongst our clients are people who are disabled, who have survived torture and modern slavery and who have had traumatic experiences at sea,” said Steve Smith, the group’s CEO. “To house any human being in a ‘quasi floating prison’ like the Bibby Stockholm is inhumane.”

Supporters hold placard outside Portland Port before the first asylum seekers arrive to board the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge, in Dorset, England, Monday Aug. 7, 2023. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

The barge, which is owned by UK-based Bibby Marine, is normally used to provide temporary housing for workers when local accommodation isn’t available. With three stories of closely packed bedrooms, the barge resembles a college dormitory, though the rooms are utilitarian. It also includes a kitchen, dining area, common rooms and laundry facilities.

Locals wave to a coach believed to be carrying asylum seekers arriving at Portland Port in Dorset, England, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. A small group of asylum-seekers has been moved to a barge moored in southern England as the government tries to cut the cost of sheltering a rising number of people arriving in the country. British news media reported Monday that the asylum-seekers were transferred to the Bibby Stockholm, a barge stacked with temporary accommodations block that will ultimately house up to 500 men. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

The Bibby Stockholm is moored in Portland Port on the south coast of England, where some locals have opposed the plan because of concern about the impact on the small surrounding community, which already has a shortage of medical services and is connected to the mainland by a single road. Immigrants rights groups are also opposed, saying it is inappropriate to house asylum-seekers in such accommodation.

Supporters carry welcome packs they have made as they hold placards outside Portland Port before the first asylum seekers arrive to board the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge, in Dorset, England, Monday Aug. 7, 2023. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

The U.K. government wants to use barges and former military bases to accommodate some migrants after the cost of housing them in hotels soared to 1.9 billion pounds ($2.4 billion) last year.

Home Office Minister Sarah Dines told the BBC that people arriving in the U.K. via unauthorized means should have “basic but proper accommodation” and that they “can’t expect to stay in a four-star hotel.”

People board the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge at Portland Port in Dorset, England, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. A small group of asylum-seekers have been moved to a barge moored in southern England as the government tries to cut the cost of sheltering a rising number of people arriving in the country. British news media reported Monday that the asylum-seekers were transferred to the Bibby Stockholm, a barge stacked with temporary accommodations block that will ultimately house up to 500 men. (James Manning/PA via AP)

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