Fears Portland migrant barge Bibby Stockholm may very well be a ‘floating Grenfell’

Plans to accommodate 1000’s of migrants in new and cheaper lodging may face new setbacks – amid fears that the Bibby Stockholm barge may very well be a “floating Grenfell”.

The Home Office had been anticipating to ship an preliminary group of individuals to the UK’s first floating barge for asylum seekers on Tuesday.  However, reviews say the barge has not acquired approval from native hearth providers.

The facility, in Portland, Dorset, will ultimately host about 500 males at a time. However, this morning a nationwide newspaper reported severe hearth security considerations in regards to the vessel with hearth service approval pending.  One supply instructed the paper of fears the barge may turn into a “floating Grenfell”, in reference to the west London tower block tragedy in 2017.

It comes after plans to maneuver 2,000 migrants into RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire had been reportedly delayed till October, after delays in conducting surveys on the 14 buildings designated for migrant lodging.  The Times additionally reported the Home Office will this week transfer extra migrants into lodging at RAF Wethersfield in Essex.

It comes regardless of a small variety of positive results for tuberculosis being detected at the former RAF site in Braintree.  A Home Office spokesperson stated: “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites and vessels will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats.

“The Bibby Stockholm is now undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the coming weeks.

“In addition, the Home Office is working with stakeholders on a carefully structured plan to increase the number of asylum seekers at Wethersfield in a phased approach.”