UK Plans to Move Asylum Seekers From Hotels to Disused Military Bases

Detainees inside the Manston short-term holding centre for illegal immigrants wave to members of the media outside, near Ramsgate, Kent, southeast England, on Nov. 3, 2022. Daniel Leal /AFP via Getty Images

The UK government has unveiled plans to house thousands of asylum seekers in disused military bases, a move ministers say will save billions of pounds in hotel bills and discourage illegal immigration.

Housing illegal immigrants in hotels is costing British taxpayers £2.3 billion ($2.8 billion) a year, immigration minister Robert Jenrick told the House of Commons on Wednesday.

He said the government remains committed to its “legal obligations” to house the destitute but is “not prepared to go further.”

Britain's Minister of State for Immigration Robert Jenrick leaves after a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, in central London, on March 15, 2023. Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

“Accommodation for migrants should meet their essential living needs and nothing more. Because we cannot risk becoming a magnet for the millions of people who are displaced and seeking better economic prospects,” he said.

The minister insisted the move is “undoubtedly in the national interest” and said “single adult males” only will be forced into the barracks.

‘Eye-Watering’ Hotel Bill

More than 45,000 illegal immigrants crossed the English Channel in small boats to reach the UK in 2022. Thousands more have already arrived illegally via this route so far this year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made “stopping the boats” one of his five priorities and has said he is “determined to deliver” on his promise.

An inflatable craft carrying illegal immigrants crosses the shipping lane in the English Channel off the coast of Dover, England, on Aug. 4, 2022. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said on March 7 that the need for reform of the asylum system is “obvious and urgent,” as the problem is already “unsustainable.”

She said most of the illegals are accommodated in hotels across the country, costing the British taxpayer around £6 million ($7.4 million) a day.

Jenrick told MPs on Wednesday: “We must not elevate the wellbeing of illegal migrants above those of the British people.”

“The sheer number of small boats have overwhelmed our asylum system and forced the government to place asylum seekers in hotels. These hotels take valuable assets from communities and place pressures on local public services.

“Seaside towns have lost tourist trade, weddings have been cancelled, and local councils have had their resources diverted to manage them, and the hardworking British taxpayer has been left to foot the eye-watering £2.3 billion a year bill.”

Moving Downmarket

Jenrick said in November that the government was considering a plan to house illegal immigrants in “simple, functional” spaces as opposed to luxury hotels in a bid to disincentivise “asylum shopping.”

He announced on Wednesday “the first tranche of sites” will be set up to provide “basic accommodation at scale.”

He confirmed that up to 3,700 people will be housed at RAF (Royal Air Force) Wethersfield in Essex and RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, with an extra 1,200 going to a separate site in East Sussex.

“These will be scaled up over the coming months and will collectively provide accommodation to several thousand asylum seekers through repurposed barrack blocks and portacabins,” he added.

Jenrick said the prime minister is “bringing forward proposals” to use the Catterick Garrison barracks to house asylum seekers in his constituency to show “leadership.”

The immigration minister acknowledged that “these sites on their own will not end the use of hotels overnight.”

“But alongside local dispersal and other forms of accommodation, which we will bring forward in due course, they will relieve pressure on our communities and they will manage asylum seekers in a more appropriate and cost-effective way,” he said.

Jenrick also said he is “continuing to explore the possibility” of using ferries and barges to house the illegal immigrants.

Local Opposition

The government is facing local opposition to its plans, notably from Conservative MPs and Conservative-led local councils.

Senior Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh said an injunction will be sought against the “thoroughly bad decision” to house illegal immigrants at the former home of the Dambusters RAF squadron, which he said could jeopardise a £300 million regeneration project.

Tory-run West Lindsey District Council said it was “extremely disappointed” by the plans to use Scampton and is “considering all legal options, including urgent judicial review proceedings.”

Braintree District Council, which is also controlled by the Conservatives, had already said it was “preparing to apply to the High Court for an interim injunction.”

Seeking to provide MPs with assurances, Jenrick said: “We are acutely aware of the need to minimise the impact of these sites on communities.

“Basic healthcare will be available, around-the-clock security will be provided on site, and our providers will work closely with local police and other partners. Funding will be provided to local authorities in which these sites are located.”

He said the government recognises that placing asylum seekers into local areas comes at a cost and so the “central government will now provide further financial support.”

He added: “Today we’re announcing a new funding package which includes generous additional per bed payments and continuation of the funding for every new dispersal bed available.

“We will also pilot an additional incentive payment where those properties are made available faster.”

PA Media contributed to this report.