Bibby Stockholm: Health and security employee checks delaying barge taking asylum seekers

Delays to shifting asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge at the moment are being attributable to checks on working practices, Sky News understands.

A Home Office supply confirmed studies that fireside questions of safety did result in preliminary setbacks, saying a door had been placed on the mistaken manner spherical.

But now that has been mounted, there may be one other maintain up as a result of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is taking a look at working practices for port authority staff, they added.

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The barge, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start out accepting arrivals final week, however the date was pushed back as extra work was wanted.

The first individuals had been then due to move on to the vessel on Tuesday this week, however that plan was additionally held up after final minute conferences had been held responding to fireplace security issues.

Prime Rishi Sunak denied getting the barge up and working had been a “shambles”, telling LBC: “The point here is not is it next week, is it yesterday, the fact is this is an example of me doing something different that hasn’t been done before to help solve a serious problem.

“It is within the technique of being carried out, there’s a barge right here, persons are going to be placed on it, which can ease stress in native communities and save [money].”

Asked if the vessel will be ready for next week, the PM replied: “The Bibby Stockholm will likely be in operation as quickly because it has handed all of the checks and laws, as quickly as doable, that’s the key factor.”

The 222-bedroom Bibby Stockholm will ultimately home as much as 500 male asylum seekers who’re at present staying in lodges, as the federal government seeks to chop its lodging prices whereas their claims are processed.

But the present plan is to start out with 50 individuals – when the vessel is prepared.

The barge may have 24-hour safety and accommodate single males solely, who will sleep in bunk beds with between two and 6 individuals per en-suite room.

Reports of fireplace questions of safety surfaced in current days, with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claiming the federal government was taking “a reckless approach to the safety and well-being of both vulnerable refugees and firefighters”.

The FBU is planning to jot down to the Home Office about overcrowding and entry to fireplace exits on the vessel.

‘Accident ready to occur’

Ben Selby, the assistant basic secretary of the FBU, advised Sky News the union’s major concern was the barge was designed to suit 222, individuals however the Home Office needs to make use of it for greater than double that capability.

He stated: “Our main concerns are focused around those large numbers trying to pass through narrow doorways, trying to pass through narrow corridors, and I leave this as an open question – if firefighters were needed to make entry on to that, through those narrow corridors, when people were seeking to escape from it in case of a fire, how would they ever reach the seat of that fire and be able to make the necessary rescues?”

On the size of danger, Mr Selby referred to the issues raised previous to the fireplace at Grenfell Tower which “were largely ignored and saw the loss of 72 innocent lives”.

He stated: “We don’t want to be in the case right now. We feel like we’re looking down the barrel of another possible disaster.

“We consider it to be a dying entice, and we consider it is one other accident ready to occur.”

Asked about the concerns on Tuesday, Mr Sunak said: “All migrant lodging has to undergo a sequence of checks and inspections to ensure it complies with laws. That’s what’s taking place on this case.

“This is ultimately about fairness. I don’t think it’s fair that British taxpayers are forking out £6m a day to house illegal migrants in hotels.”

The vessel has attracted a backlash from native Tory MPs as properly, with Chris Loder demanding to see safety reports, claiming the barge was going to accommodate double the quantity of individuals it was designed to carry.

A Home Office spokesperson stated: “The Bibby Stockholm is undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers.

“This is a part of the federal government’s plan to scale back using costly lodges and provide different lodging that’s extra manageable and higher worth for communities, similar to our European neighbours are already doing.

“We continue to work closely with Dorset and Portland councils, as well as the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact in Portland, including providing substantial funding to local services, to address the local community’s concerns.”