Bibby Stockholm Barge Accommodation for Migrants to be Closed by Home Office

This decision is in line with Labour’s commitment to clear the backlog of asylum cases and safeguard UK borders.

The government stated that ending the use of the vessel will result in saving over £20 million next year.

The Home Office aims to achieve £7.7 billion in asylum cost savings over the next decade by clearing the backlog of asylum cases and removing illegal migrants as part of Labour’s planned restart.

The Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, emphasized Labour’s determination to have a “swiftly” operating asylum system.

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“The home secretary has outlined plans to start clearing the asylum backlog and making savings on accommodation, which is incurring significant costs for the taxpayer. The Bibby Stockholm will remain in use until the contract expires in January 2025,” stated Dame Angela.

‘Asylum System in Chaos’

She informed MPs that Labour plans to boost border security by scrapping the Conservatives’ Rwanda deportation scheme.

Over 100 Home Office staff will be redeployed from the Rwanda scheme to concentrate on a “rapid returns unit” for sending illegal migrants back to their home countries.

Swift returns of migrants to safe countries, expedited asylum case decisions, and discontinuation of hotel accommodation for migrants are part of the proposed Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill.

The legislation aims to “modernise the asylum and immigration system.”

It will establish the new Border Security Command to utilize counter-terrorism powers against illegal small boat crossings.

The Home Office disclosed that recruitment has begun for a new border security commander. The government also plans to increase the number of specialist officers from Britain’s National Crime Agency stationed within Europol by 50 percent.

“Simultaneously, I am introducing a statutory instrument to end the retrospective nature of the Illegal Migration Act provisions, facilitating the Home Office to promptly address cases post-March 2023,” noted Ms. Cooper.

Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly accused Ms. Cooper of using “fabricated figures” and Labour of terminating the Rwanda scheme on “ideological basis.”

He also questioned the destinations for asylum seekers from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria in the absence of the Rwanda scheme.

“If not Rwanda, will it be Rochdale, Romford, or Richmond?” inquired Mr. Cleverly.

The Home Secretary outlined that the government would save £220 million in direct payments to Rwanda over the coming years by scrapping the scheme and immediately save up to £750 million.

With the goal of reducing the demand for accommodation, such as the Bibby Stockholm, the government aims to clear the asylum backlog.

In addition to accommodation vessels like the Portland Port barge, four land-based sites have been identified to host migrants.

This includes the Ministry of Defence facility in Wethersfield and a major garrison south of Richmond, collectively providing at least 6,400 bedspaces.

At the time, the Home Office assured that the barge had passed all required health, fire, and water assessments.

However, the barge was evacuated the following summer and remained unoccupied for two months due to the discovery of hazardous bacteria onboard.