Asylum barge plan ‘unworkable’, critics say after Suella Braverman’s missed goal
S
uella Braverman’s plan to deal with asylum seekers on barges was branded “unworkable” as she missed her personal goal for the primary vessel to be in place.
The Bibby Stockholm lodging vessel, which is able to home round 500 individuals, just isn’t but in Portland Port, Dorset regardless of Mrs Braverman promising MPs it could be within the dock every week in the past.
The barge is at present in Falmouth, Cornwall for checks, upkeep and refurbishment work.
On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary informed the Commons “we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight”.
Liberal Democrat dwelling affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael stated: “This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise.
“Braverman’s plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this government’s asylum policy.
“The Home Secretary needs to get her priorities straight.
“She should focus instead on tackling the backlog of asylum cases created by her government’s sheer incompetence, which has created the need for this plan in the first place.”
The Home Secretary desires to make use of barges and websites together with transformed navy bases to deal with asylum seekers and scale back the £6 million every day price of lodge lodging whereas individuals await a call on their standing.
The Bibby Stockholm was the primary barge secured underneath the plan, however its journey to Portland will now happen within the coming weeks, in keeping with the Home Office.
Within weeks of its arrival, the primary group of asylum seekers are anticipated to be positioned on board, increase in phases to its eventual capability of 500.
A Home Office spokesman stated: “The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels.
“This is why we will be using alternative accommodation options, such as barges, which are more manageable for communities, as our European neighbours are doing.
“We are continuing to work extremely closely with Dorset and Portland councils, as well as the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact in Portland and address the local communities’ concerns, including through substantial financial support.”