A Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) has called on the UK government to provide safety reports for a barge that is being used to house asylum seekers. The Bibby Stockholm, which is expected to accommodate 500 individuals awaiting decisions on their asylum applications, departed from Cornwall and is en route to its new dock at Portland Port in Dorset. However, Chris Loder, the MP representing West Dorset, has raised concerns that the barge is being used beyond its designed capacity.
Loder has written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Transport Minister Baroness Vere, urging them to either halt the use of the barge or provide safety assessments demonstrating that it can handle double the weight it was originally designed for. He has been requesting visibility of the safety risk assessments for months but has not received them to date.
The UK government has been seeking alternative accommodation for asylum seekers, particularly those who arrive via small boats crossing the English Channel, citing the high cost of housing them in hotels. In addition to the barge, former military bases have been repurposed, and there have been discussions of using large marquees as temporary shelters.
However, the government has faced criticism from local residents, councils, and MPs when their areas are chosen for these new accommodation sites. Previously, Richard Drax MP, a Conservative representing South Dorset, including Portland, threatened legal action against the government over the use of the barge.
Mr. Loder, who has also expressed his opposition to the Bibby Stockholm coming to his county, has written to Home Secretary Braverman and Transport Minister Baroness Vere, expressing his concerns about the barge’s safety. He highlighted the need for safety risk assessments to confirm that the barge can handle double its designed capacity of 250 people.
According to Mr Loder, the safety risk assessments have not been received, despite his continuous requests. He further noted that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency also failed to undertake the necessary safety assessments for a flagged vessel on the water, such as the Bibby Stockholm.
In his letter, Mr Loder called on the government to either halt the use of the barge or provide the necessary safety risk assessments confirming its capacity to bear double the weight for which it was designed.
The Bibby Stockholm’s relocation is already a month behind schedule, and it is expected to provide basic accommodation with healthcare provisions, catering facilities, and 24/7 security. The Home Office estimated the daily cost to be £20,000. Dorset Council has received £2 million in funding to cover the expenses associated with providing services to the residents.
In response to Mr Loder’s concerns, the Home Office stated that the Bibby Stockholm is now en route to Portland Port. They defended the use of vessels as alternative accommodation, citing their cost-effectiveness and manageability compared to hotels. The Home Office assured close collaboration with local councils and key partners to minimize disruption for local residents, including substantial financial support.
