Govt Moves Asylum Seekers to Old Military Bases to ‘Stop the Boats’
The government has revealed plans to house asylum seekers arriving illegally by small boats in surplus military sites at Scampton and Wethersfield. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick gave Parliament an update on Wednesday outlining how these sites will replace costly hotels, slashing taxpayers’ bills and easing community pressures.
Military Bases to Replace £6 Million-a-Day Hotel Costs
Jenrick announced that former barracks at Lincolnshire’s Scampton and Essex’s Wethersfield will provide basic, functional accommodation for up to 3,700 asylum seekers. The sites will have on-site healthcare, catering, and 24/7 security. A non-military site in Bexhill, East Sussex, will also open to house 1,200 people.
Robert Jenrick said: “The Home Secretary and I have been clear that using expensive hotels for asylum seekers is wholly unacceptable. Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats.”
“We understand the concerns of local communities and are working closely to listen to their views and reduce impact, including onsite security and financial support.”
The sites aim to offer a more manageable solution — cutting huge £6 million-a-day hotel bills while providing local employment opportunities and aligning the UK with European nations like Germany and Greece that use military sites for asylum housing.
Government’s Tough New Plan to Crush Illegal Channel Crossings
- The Illegal Migration Bill targets illegal entry for asylum, curbing asylum hotel stays.
- New funding & incentives to boost dispersed accommodation across local authorities.
- Exploring vessels for accommodation, following models in the Netherlands and Scotland.
- Temporary easing of house-share regulations to get people out of hotels faster.
- Historic deal with France to crack down on smugglers.
- More enforcement visits and faster removals of failed claimants.
Since 2018, some 85,000 migrants have crossed the Channel illegally, straining housing and asylum services. Most are single adult males. The government must house those facing destitution but says the new sites offer safe, secure, and cost-effective arrangements while claims are processed.
Heritage Preserved as Military Sites Reopen
The Ministry of Defence is preserving the historic WWII features of Scampton, with migrants housed only in modern buildings, on a temporary basis. Initial capacity at Scampton and Wethersfield will start at around 200 people, gradually rising to 2,000 and 1,700 respectively. Numbers for other sites will be confirmed soon.
Jenrick stressed the government is working closely with West Lindsey District Council to support local visions for the sites’ future beyond their asylum use.
This approach marks an urgent bid to fix the broken UK asylum system and reduce the reliance on costly hotels that have long angered the public and politicians alike.
