New Military Sites for Asylum Accommodation
The Home Office has confirmed plans to open three new military bases for housing asylum seekers: MOD Bicester in Oxfordshire, MOD Barnham in Suffolk, and MOD Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire. Additionally, the use of Crowborough in East Sussex and Wethersfield in Essex will be extended until 2030 and beyond 2027 respectively. Wethersfield is also being expanded to accommodate 1,200 more bedspaces.
Closure of Asylum Hotels
The expansion coincides with the closure of 20 asylum hotels, including the Bell Hotel in Epping, which was a focal point for protests last year. Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said the number of hotels used for this purpose has 'more than halved' from a peak of 400 to under 170. He stated: 'Instead, we’re moving asylum seekers into ex-military sites that are a far cry from the hotels the last government left us with. This is a system being brought back under control – and we will not stop until the job is done.'
Cost Savings and Criticism
According to the Home Office, the closure of these hotels, alongside 11 others announced in April, will save taxpayers £170 million this financial year. Asylum costs overall have fallen by almost £1 billion, and the total number of asylum seekers is down 12% compared to last year. However, the Refugee Council criticized the move, with Director of External Affairs Imran Hussein arguing that the government could lower costs by 'housing people in communities and improving Home Office decision-making.' Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government 'should be putting illegal immigrants on a plane home rather than messing around with military camps and hotels,' adding: 'Only the Conservatives have the backbone and the plan to leave the ECHR and end the lawfare that blocks removals.'
