In a recent shift in government policy, the Bibby Stockholm barge will no longer be used to house asylum seekers.
This decision comes as Labour reverses many of the previous Conservative measures.
The Home Office has confirmed that the barge, docked off the Dorset coast, will cease its role as accommodation from January next year.
The government cited the high cost of extending the contract—over £20 million for the upcoming year—as a key factor in this decision.
The move follows Yvette Cooper’s announcement of a significant policy change regarding Channel migrants.
Cooper has effectively introduced an amnesty for tens of thousands of migrants who had previously been barred from seeking asylum.
She argued that the former policy was failing, as it merely kept migrants in limbo in hotels at taxpayers’ expense.
Additionally, the controversial Rwanda scheme has been scrapped.
Despite claims that it was serving as a deterrent, Cooper highlighted that the scheme had cost £700 million and resulted in only four voluntary relocations to Rwanda.
Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle emphasized the government’s commitment to revamping the asylum system to ensure it operates efficiently and fairly.
The Bibby Stockholm has had a troubled history since its inception.
It was evacuated last summer due to dangerous bacteria shortly after the first asylum seekers arrived, leaving it empty for two months.
Tragically, in December, a 27-year-old Albanian asylum seeker on board took their own life.
Last week, residents protested, demanding an end to their prolonged uncertainty and faster decision-making on their claims.
Some have described their experience on the barge as akin to living in a “hell barge.”
Labour’s New Approach and Conservative Criticism
In response to Labour’s election victory, Cooper has proposed processing up to 120,000 asylum claims that were previously blocked.
The Refugee Council estimates this could lead to around 70,000 people being granted asylum, while Conservatives argue the number could be as high as 90,000.
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly criticized Cooper’s policy as an “effective amnesty,” suggesting it would encourage more dangerous Channel crossings.
Cooper countered that the policy change would save £7.7 billion in accommodation costs and noted that only a small fraction of asylum seekers might have been sent to Rwanda.
The Home Secretary also promised that deportation flights would commence this week for those who can be safely returned to their home countries.
However, many asylum seekers come from conflict zones like Syria and Afghanistan, where returning them is deemed too risky.
Cooper admitted that high levels of small-boat crossings are expected to continue through the summer.
Ongoing Debates
The debate over these policy changes continues.
Cleverly has accused Cooper of removing necessary deterrents and mocked the proposed Border Security Command as redundant.
Meanwhile, Labour’s new measures are seen by some as a significant shift in the approach to asylum and immigration.
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