UK Government to House Asylum Seekers in Old Military Bases
The UK government plans to slash costs by moving asylum seekers from pricey hotels to disused military bases. Each site can hold between 1,500 and 2,000 people. This comes as ministers reveal the skyrocketing £6.2 million daily bill for housing 51,000 asylum seekers across 400 hotels nationwide.
Robert Jenrick Outlines Military Site Plans
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick unveiled the scheme on Wednesday. He said accommodation for illegal migrants should meet “essential living needs” and “nothing more.”
Several former military sites will be repurposed, including RAF Wethersfield in Essex, RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, the Northeye training centre in Bexhill, East Sussex, and barracks at Catterick Garrison. However, the government insists these bases will house new arrivals only, not those already in hotels.
“Today the Government is announcing the first tranche of sites we will set up to provide basic accommodation at scale,” Jenrick said in the Commons. “These will be scaled up to provide accommodation to several thousands asylum seekers through repurposed barrack blocks and portacabins.”
Jenrick added the homes won’t immediately free up hotel rooms but will ease pressure on communities and save taxpayers money over time.
Local MPs and Councils Respond with Concern
Bexhill MP Huw Merriman expressed unease about the plan to house asylum seekers at Northeye, a former training centre. “This decision will impact local authorities, public services, and will be a big concern for residents,” Merriman said.
He pledged to meet the Home Office to discuss local worries and ensure proper safeguards. “I want to identify challenges for the town and make sure residents are reassured with adequate resources,” he added.
East Sussex County Council and Rother District Council also weighed in, saying the local community will have many questions.
“We will work with partners to assess the impact on our communities and share our findings with the government,” the councils said in a joint statement. “We expect the Home Office to address all concerns identified.”
Government Aims to Replace Unsustainable Hotel Stays
The government argues that hotels and other temporary housing are neither suitable nor affordable long-term solutions for asylum seekers. The new military sites are touted as safer, more sustainable, and cheaper alternatives.
But critics remain worried about the conditions at former military bases and their effects on local areas, keeping this controversial plan under the spotlight.
