Government plans to shift migrants from hotels to two military barracks in new move
Asylum seekers will be accommodated in two Army barracks – one in Scotland and the other in the south of England – from November, the Government has announced.
Some 900 migrants will be temporarily moved into Cameron Barracks in Inverness and the Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, the Home Office said.
It has been claimed that the asylum seekers will be divided between the barracks, with around 300 migrants heading to Cameron Barracks, and roughly 600 residing in Crowborough.
Prefabricated, modular units like Portakabins are reportedly going to be erected on the sites.
The Prime Minister said that he would like to see asylum hotels shut "as quickly as possible" and is "bearing down on this every day of the week".
"I want to see asylum hotels closed down as quickly as possible, but obviously you'll appreciate that we've got to process the claims and/or find other accommodation," Sir Keir Starmer told ITV Granada during a visit to Lancashire.
The proposals still must get through a consultation in the local communities, where the plans will be highly contentious.
It has been suggested that the Labour government could utilise the former RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse and Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire, the Times has reported.
The last government looked at housing migrants in ex-military sites like RAF Scampton; however, the policy was canned after a public backlash.
There has been criticism of the policy from politicians, including councillors, an MP, and the Scottish government, in the areas where the migrants will be housed.
Angus MacDonald, the Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, stated that the Cameron Barracks site was "not an appropriate location to house a large number of migrants".
"Cameron Barracks is surrounded by housing and only a 10-minute walk to the high street; it is secured only by a modest fence. Will security still be maintained by the Army?" Mr MacDonald said.
"There is a risk that this causes major upheaval in the city centre, while only housing a tiny fraction of the numbers awaiting processing."
The Scottish government have "raised concerns" regarding the choice of site in the north of the country.
"The Home Office is responsible for the provision of all asylum accommodation, and we are aware that they are considering accommodating people seeking asylum in Cameron Barracks," Shirley-Anne Somerville, the SNP social justice secretary, said.
"We have raised our concerns about the suitability of the site with them and have urged them to engage closely with Highland Council and other service providers."
Speaking about the policy, a Downing Street spokesman said: "Military sites can provide proper security, health and wellbeing standards, and that is what we're intent on delivering, instead of luxury sites, as we've seen over the years."
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