Spike in Channel Crossings Forces UK to Reopen Hotels for Migrants

The government has justified its request for additional hotel space to accommodate migrants following a rise in illegal Channel crossings. Previously, the Labour party promised to stop using hotels claiming that it was costing taxpayers £4 million per day.

In July, the government announced that it would not extend the contract for the use of the Bibby Stockholm beyond January 2025. Currently, there are still people residing on the barge.The accommodation barge which housed up to 500 asylum seekers is currently stationed in Portland, Dorset.

According to the spokesperson, there is now a significant increase in  immigration enforcement, including the deportation of individuals who do not have the right to remain in the UK. They also mentioned that they inherited a disorganised situation with costly hotel contracts, large facilities and scattered accommodation.

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Ministers had previously stated that discontinuing the use of the barge would contribute to an expected savings of £7.7 billion in the asylum system. The barge was established by the previous Conservative government as part of efforts to reduce hotel expenses for migrants arriving in the UK via small boats. It has the capacity to accommodate 500 men between the ages of 18 and 65. Concerns have been raised about overcrowding and living conditions on the barge, and numerous charities have called for its closure.

The spokesperson mentioned, “The government has begun delivering a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK and ensure the rules are respected and enforced.”

He also added, “Ending the use of the Bibby Stockholm forms part of the expected £7.7 billion of savings in asylum costs over the next ten years, as the Home Secretary takes action to restart asylum caseworking, clear the backlog and remove those with no right to be here. Extending the use of the Bibby Stockholm would have cost over £20 million next year. And the barge will continue to be used until January 2025, but there will be no continuation of the contract beyond that.”
As stated in GB News that this month, across 250 British hotels, some 30,000 migrants are being put up at Britons’ expense  to the tune of £4.2million every day.