Barges set to carry asylum seekers reported to have been refused berths
T
he Government says it’s “continuing discussions” following a report that two vessels set to accommodate asylum seekers have been unable to discover a berth.
Sky News reported plans for one of many cruise ships to accommodate asylum seekers close to Liverpool have been scrapped after being declined by the port operator whereas one other vessel was refused docking close to Edinburgh.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman mentioned: “I’ve seen that reported. For our part, we are continuing discussions both in terms of those who can provide additional accommodation facilities and sites where it can be housed.
“That will continue. We want to open more, obviously Bibby Stockholm has arrived today and will be taking people on board this month.”
The Prime Minister has made coping with the small boats crossing the channel a precedence for his administration.
He mentioned in June the federal government had acquired two vessels, in addition to the Bibby Stockholm barge which arrived in Dorset on Tuesday, in an try to chop down on multi-million pound lodge payments for housing individuals crossing in small boats.
It is just not clear how a lot the federal government paid for the boats earlier than returning them to the proprietor.
A Home Office spokesperson mentioned they may not touch upon industrial preparations, however mentioned the federal government had been a “range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels”.
Around 50 asylum seekers will board the Bibby Stockholm from subsequent week.
A Home Office spokesman mentioned: “The Bibby Stockholm has now arrived at Portland Port where it will be moved around the port to position it for its final berth.
“From next week about 50 asylum seekers will be moved on to the vessel as part of a carefully structured plan to increase the number of individuals on board over the next few months.
“The Government is providing substantial funding to local services including the police and NHS to support them and minimise the impact on the community, and there will be 24/7 security on site.
“The site is designed to be self-sufficient in order to minimise the impact on the local community, with catering, recreational areas and basic health care provision on board.”