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| Barge to house 500 male migrants off Dorset coast, says government | Barge to house 500 male migrants off Dorset coast, says government |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| About 500 adult male migrants will be housed in a barge on the Dorset coast "in the coming months", the government has confirmed. | About 500 adult male migrants will be housed in a barge on the Dorset coast "in the coming months", the government has confirmed. |
| The plans have been criticised by local groups, refugee charities and Conservative MP Richard Drax who said "every action's being looked at". | The plans have been criticised by local groups, refugee charities and Conservative MP Richard Drax who said "every action's being looked at". |
| The Home Office says the 222-roomed vessel called Bibby Stockholm will be "significantly cheaper than hotels". | |
| The government says it costs more than £6m a day to house migrants in hotels. | The government says it costs more than £6m a day to house migrants in hotels. |
| The three-storey Bibby Stockholm, which will be located at Portland Port in Dorset, will be used to house migrants while they are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed. | |
| As well as providing basic and functional accommodation, healthcare and catering - the berthed vessel will have security on board to minimise disruption to local communities, says the Home Office. | |
| The Bibby Stockholm has been refurbished since it was criticised as an "oppressive environment" when the Dutch government used it for asylum seekers. | |
| It now has en-suite rooms, a TV and games room and a gym, according to a fact sheet from its owners, Bibby Maritime. | |
| Charities and local councillors have opposed the plans, with the Refugee Council saying the barge will be "completely inadequate" to house "vulnerable people". | |
| "A floating barge does not provide what they need nor the respect, dignity and support they deserve", said chief executive Enver Solomon. | |
| Using the barge to house migrants was condemned as "ministerial cruelty" by Amnesty International which has called for the plans to be abandoned. | |
| Dorset Council said it had "serious reservations" about the suitability of Portland Port as a location for the barge, adding: "We remain opposed to the proposals." | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Home Office | Home Office |
| Suella Braverman | Suella Braverman |
| Refugees and asylum seekers | Refugees and asylum seekers |
| Portland | Portland |