The Home Office is planning to relocate hundreds of asylum seekers from hotels to military sites in Scotland and Sussex. Approximately 900 men will be temporarily housed at Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, with efforts underway to identify additional sites. These measures come as pressure mounts to expedite the closure of hotels.
This decision follows a critical report revealing wasteful spending on costly contracts due to leadership failures under the previous government. Defence minister Luke Pollard emphasized the government’s commitment to shutting down all asylum hotels by the end of the current Parliament, with 24 already closed, saving £1 billion. The Ministry of Defence is ramping up efforts to provide alternative housing options for asylum seekers to accelerate the closure process.
Pollard reassured that the accommodations provided will be basic but sufficient to serve the needs of asylum seekers. The military barracks, though not managed by the MOD, will operate under contracts ensuring essential services such as food, cleaning, and security are in place.
The move aligns with the government’s strategy to phase out the use of asylum hotels, criticized as ineffective, disorganized, and costly. A Home Office spokesperson expressed determination to close all asylum hotels, with ongoing efforts to secure more suitable sites to alleviate community burdens and reduce asylum-related expenses.
In June this year, approximately 32,000 asylum seekers were housed in hotels, a decrease from the peak of over 56,000 in 2023 but still higher by 2,500 compared to the previous year. Moreover, projected costs for Home Office accommodation contracts have surged from £4.5 billion to £15.3 billion for the period 2019-2029, reflecting a substantial increase in demand according to the Commons Home Affairs Committee.
Opposition leader Keir Starmer criticized the previous government for mismanaging the asylum system, causing delays in processing claims. He expressed frustration over the challenges inherited by the current administration.
The government’s move to transition asylum seekers to military sites underscores a shift away from hotel accommodations and a concerted effort to streamline the asylum process while managing costs effectively.