A proposal to accommodate 500 migrants on a barge off the Dorset coast has sparked criticism from more than 40 organisations and campaigners, who have described the plans as “cruel and inhumane.” The Bibby Stockholm barge is set to dock in Portland, Dorset, where it will house men seeking asylum. In an open letter addressed to the barge owner, Bibby Marine, various groups including the Refugee Council expressed concerns about the “detention-like conditions” that the migrants would face.
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Bibby Marine defended the accommodation, stating that the barge would be practical, safe, and comfortable. The three-story vessel, equipped with 222 rooms, is scheduled to arrive in Portland Harbour in early July as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the daily cost of accommodating migrants, which currently stands at £6 million.
