UK to cease accommodating asylum seekers by end of January 2025
Date
7/24/2024 2:53:37 AM
(MENAFN) The newly elected Labour government announced on Tuesday that the Bibby Stockholm barge will cease accommodating asylum seekers by the end of January next year. This decision aims to reduce housing costs for individuals arriving in the country via small boats. The previous administration had introduced the barge as a temporary solution to house 5,000 asylum seekers and cut down on hotel expenses. However, the barge faced significant criticism from groups such as Right to Remain, which labeled it a "floating prison."
Dame Angela Eagle, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, emphasized the government's commitment to restoring order to the asylum system. She stated that the system must operate efficiently, effectively, and fairly, with proper enforcement of the rules. Eagle noted that the Home Secretary has outlined plans to tackle the asylum backlog and reduce accommodation costs, which have been accumulating substantial bills for taxpayers. The Bibby Stockholm will remain in operation until its contract expires in January 2025.
The decision to end the use of the Bibby Stockholm is expected to save approximately £7.7 billion (about USD9.9 billion) in asylum costs over the next decade. The official statement highlighted the government's intention to expedite asylum case processing, clear the backlog, and address those without legal right to remain in the country.
In addition to these measures, the government has initiated the rapid recruitment of a new border security commander and committed to increasing the number of UK officers at Europol by 50 percent. This increase is intended to enhance intelligence sharing, disrupt criminal people smugglers, and ensure they are held accountable for their actions.
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