The Home Office is secretly developing plans to erect temporary pop-up buildings to house asylum seekers across the UK, as the government faces growing criticism over its reliance on expensive hotel accommodation.
According to documents obtained by The Independent, these new structures would replace some of the controversial hotel placements that currently cost taxpayers nearly £8 million per day. The proposed accommodation centres are designed to be rapidly deployable and would provide basic sleeping and washing facilities.
Mounting Pressure Over Hotel Costs
Ministers are under increasing pressure to find alternative solutions to housing approximately 51,000 asylum seekers in nearly 400 hotels nationwide. The staggering daily expenditure has drawn sharp criticism from both opposition parties and Conservative backbenchers alike.
One government source familiar with the plans stated: "We're exploring various options to reduce the unacceptable reliance on hotels. These temporary structures would provide more basic accommodation at significantly lower cost to the public."
Basic Facilities and Rapid Deployment
The proposed pop-up centres would feature:
- Modular sleeping quarters with basic amenities
- Shared washing and sanitation facilities
- Common areas for residents
- On-site security and management
Unlike the dispersed hotel model, these centres would concentrate asylum seekers in designated locations, potentially making processing and service provision more efficient.
Controversy and Criticism
Immigration charities have expressed concerns about the plans, warning that large-scale accommodation centres could isolate asylum seekers from local communities and essential support networks.
"We've seen time and again that large, institutional accommodation settings can have serious negative impacts on residents' mental health and wellbeing," said a spokesperson from Refugee Action. "Any new accommodation must meet basic standards of dignity and provide proper access to legal support and healthcare."
The Home Office has faced repeated legal challenges over its accommodation policies, with courts ruling that some temporary facilities failed to meet basic standards for vulnerable individuals.
What Comes Next?
While the pop-up centre plans remain in development, the government continues to explore multiple strategies to address the accommodation crisis. The Rwanda deportation scheme, though currently stalled by legal challenges, remains a key part of the government's long-term strategy to deter Channel crossings.
As the political debate intensifies, the search for cost-effective and humane solutions to asylum accommodation continues to challenge policymakers on all sides.
