UK to end housing asylum seekers in 'floating prison' by January

Minister Dame Angela Eagle announced plans to clear the asylum backlog and make savings on accommodation costs.

The newly elected Labour government announced on Tuesday that the Bibby Stockholm barge will stop accommodating asylum seekers at the end of January next year in an effort to reduce housing costs for those who arrive in the country on small boats. 

The previous government announced the use of the barge to accommodate 5,000 asylum seekers in an effort to reduce hotel costs. Critics, including the advocacy group Right to Remain, dubbed the vessel a "floating prison."

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Dame Angela Eagle said the government is determined to restoring order to the asylum system, ensuring that it operates quickly, firmly, and fairly, and that the rules are properly enforced.

“The Home Secretary has set out plans to start clearing the asylum backlog and making savings on accommodation which is running up vast bills for the taxpayer. The Bibby Stockholm will continue to be in use until the contract expires in January 2025,” Eagle said.

Ending the use of the Bibby Stockholm expected to save £7.7 billion (about $9.9 billion) on asylum costs over the next 10 years.

“The home secretary takes action to restart asylum case working, clear the backlog and remove those with no right to be here,” the official statement said, underlying intention to fast-track decision making for asylum applications.

The government says it has already begun the rapid recruitment of a new border security commander and committed to increasing the number of UK officers at Europol by 50% in order "to boost intelligence sharing, disrupt criminal people smugglers, and bring them to justice."