Downing Street has responded to reports that a barge set to house illegal immigrants from this week has yet to be approved by fire services.
On Monday, The Times of London reported serious fire safety concerns surrounding the Bibby Stockholm facility in Portland, Dorset.
One unnamed source told the newspaper of fears that the vessel, which will eventually house up to 500 immigrants, could become a “floating Grenfell,” in reference to the west London tower block tragedy in 2017.
The Home Office had been expecting to send an initial group of immigrants to the accommodation on Tuesday.
Asked about the reports, the prime minister’s press secretary said on Monday: “The Bibby Stockholm is currently undergoing final preparations including fire safety checks. That’s happening this week to ensure that it complies with all the appropriate regulations.
“There’s been refurbishment that’s been ongoing to ensure it complies with the marine industry safety regulations.”
The press secretary added, “As you’d expect, we continue to work extremely closely with the local council … to ensure the right preparations are in place before anyone boards.”
A Home Office spokesman did not directly address The Times of London claims, however he did state that final preparations were taking place “to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the coming weeks.”
Fire Risk
DWFRS Fire Safety Manager Graham Kewley said: “Responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing the safety of barge residents rests with the responsible person, as defined in fire safety legislation, in conjunction with the Master of the vessel.“Where any aspect falls within the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, we will be undertaking appropriate audits to confirm that adequate general fire precautions are in place.
“We have provided advice and comment in relation to fire safety arrangements to both the Home Office and the vessels operators during our familiarisation and pre-occupation visits.”
Mr. Kewley said the fire risk assessment is the appropriate mechanism for determining the planning, organisation, management, and control of fire safety measures.
He said responsibility rests with Corporate Travel Management and Landry & Kling as the vessel operators—under their contract with the Home Office—to produce and keep this document under review.
He added: “We do not conduct fire risk assessments or provide an approval process prior to occupation of a premises but will exercise our enforcement powers (either formal or informal) to address any significant areas of non-compliance where necessary.
“It would be inappropriate for DWFRS to provide further detail on the specific systems and emergency plans in place, as these could impact upon the safety of the vessel and/or its occupants.
“This aligns with our approach to any other commercial or residential premises.”
Immigrant Housing Delay
The reports come just days after the Home Office delayed plans to move 2,000 illegal immigrants into the grounds of a disused RAF base at the centre of a legal battle.Scampton Parish Council was told on Thursday that immigrants won’t be housed at Lincolnshire’s RAF Scampton from next month.
In a statement to The Epoch Times, a council spokesperson said Home Office representatives claimed the delay was owing to ongoing building checks and finding “suitably qualified individuals” to oversee and assure gas, water, and electricity connectivity to the site.
It is now expected that immigrants won’t be housed there until October.
Asked about the delay, a Downing Street spokeswoman said on Monday: “Work is ongoing to open [the] site at Scampton and we want that work to be done as soon as possible.
“I can’t get into running commentary on expected timelines but eventually the site will accommodate almost 2,000 people.”
The move comes weeks after West Lindsey District Council won the right to a judicial review to determine whether the government’s plans for RAF Scampton are lawful.
The council fears the immigrant plans will impact on proposals for a £300 million regeneration project at the Scampton site.
The review is expected in the next few months, meaning it is likely to be concluded before the first immigrants are due to arrive.
The Times of London also reported the Home Office will this week move more illegal immigrants into accommodation at RAF Wethersfield, despite a number of positive results for tuberculosis being detected at the site in Braintree, Essex.
A department spokesperson said: “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites and vessels will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats.
“The Bibby Stockholm is now undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the coming weeks.
“In addition, the Home Office is working with stakeholders on a carefully structured plan to increase the number of asylum seekers at Wethersfield in a phased approach.”
