Britain has initiated a controversial immigration policy by housing migrants on a barge named “Bibby Stockholm,” docked off the southwest English coast in Portland. The barge, previously used to accommodate homeless people and asylum-seekers in Germany and the Netherlands, has drawn heavy criticism from locals and rights campaigners.
The decision to moor the barge in Portland, a small island with a population of around 13,600 people, has faced backlash from some residents and the area’s Conservative MP, who argue that it is unsuitable for the purpose. Rights advocates have also raised concerns about the barge’s unsuitability and labeled it a “shameful way to house people who’ve fled terror, conflict, and persecution.”
Despite the criticism, the UK government defends its decision, claiming that the barge provides suitable accommodation and is a cost-effective alternative to house asylum claimants. The government is trying to reduce the escalating costs of housing asylum seekers, which has reached over £6 million per day due to a surge in cross-Channel arrivals via small boats in recent years. The government is also attempting to deter migrants through a new “illegal migration” law, which denies asylum claims for those arriving through unauthorized routes and mandates their transfer to third countries like Rwanda.
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However, both policies face legal challenges. The firefighters’ union raised safety concerns about the barge, and the legality of sending migrants to East Africa is under court review. The United Nations’ refugee agency has condemned the new rules, stating they breach international law and put refugees at “grave risks.”
Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government remains committed to its pledge to “stop the boats” and continues to explore cost-effective alternatives for housing asylum claimants.
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