Two military sites earmarked as asylum seeker accommodation
Hundreds of asylum seekers could be housed in two military sites in Inverness and East Sussex as the government seeks to end the use of hotels.
Discussions are under way over the use of the sites to accommodate 900 men, as first reported in the Times. There are around 32,000 asylum seekers currently being housed in hotels.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC he had told Home Office and Ministry of Defence officials to “go faster, go further” to locate appropriate military sites.
The government has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels, which have cost billions of pounds and become a focal point for anti-migrant protests, by 2029.
Asylum seekers are due to be housed in the Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex by the end of November, under plans being drawn up by ministers.
Speaking to BBC North West Tonight, Sir Keir said he was “really pleased” that more asylum seekers would be housed on military bases “by the end of this year”.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr0lx7n0y3o