Rishi Sunak says two more barges will be used to house 1,000 asylum seekers
Rishi Sunak has announced two more barges will be used to house around 1,000 asylum seekers - but refused to say where they will be.
The Prime Minister said the Government has secured the vessels - on top of a controversial decision to use a barge on the coast of Dorset - but declined to elaborate.
He visited Dover to meet Border Force workers and desperately attempt to convince the public he is making progress on his mission to "stop the boats".
He said that crossings had fallen by 20% compared to this time last year - but a dismissive Nigel Farage branded the PM "deluded" and said: "Stop the Boats is not working, it’s just windy!"
Plans to pack asylum seekers onto barges in an effort to tackle a record backlog sparked an outcry, but the PM doubled down.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Earlier this year Home Secretary Suella Braverman - who was notable by her absense this morning - signed a deal for the Bibby Stockholm to be used for 500 people arriving on small boats across the Channel.
Rishi Sunak speaking during a press conference at Western Jet Foil in Dover (PA)Critics including the Refugee Council said barges are "entirely unsuitable for the needs" of those seeking refuge.
They said the Government's proposals were, instead, a "direct consequence of the chronic delays and huge backlog in the asylum system".
Damning figures show the asylum backlog under the Tories has ballooned to a massive 172,500 - with more than 7,600 people crossing the Channel in small boats so far this year.
Mr Sunak is under pressure to tackle the crossings after saying it is one of his top five priorities.
He told a press briefing that he was expanding the use of barges, despite local opposition in Portland, Dorset, where he said the first vessel would be in use within a fortnight.
The PM said:: "To reduce pressures on local communities, we’ll also house people on ships.
"The first will arrive in Portland in the next fortnight. And we’ve secured another two today that will accommodate another 1,000."
Home Office plans to house more than 500 migrants on a barge off the coast of Portland, Dover, have sparked huge anger, with Tory MP Richard Drax previously threatening legal action.
He described the barge plan as a "quasi prison" in a blistering attack in the Commons.
Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'
Mr Sunak said he expected the Bibby Stockholm to be operational within a fortnight - but when pressed refused to say where the other two would be located.
Rishi Sunak onboard Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover (Getty Images)He also declined to specify when he expected small boat arrivals to stop completely, as he has promised.
The PM said that forcing migrants to share hotel rooms would save £250 million a year.
Mr Sunak said: "If you're coming here illegally, claiming sanctuary from death, torture or persecution, then you should be willing to share a taxpayer-funded hotel room in central London.
"To reduce pressures on local communities, we'll also house people on ships, the first will arrive in Portland in the next fortnight and we've secured another two today that will accommodate another thousand."
During his address, Mr Sunak added that small boat crossings were down 20% and "our plan is starting to work" but there is still a "long way to go".
The PM declined to specify when he expected small boat arrivals to stop completely (PA)Following the speech Labour leader Keir Starmer shot back that the Government had resorted to "reannouncing the same policy".
He said: “We need to stop the boats. We’re clear we don't want anyone making that dangerous journey.
"But all we've had from the government is policies that aren’t working, then the reannouncement of the same policy, with a self-congratulatory pat on the back. It feels like groundhog day and it’s costing the taxpayer a fortune.
“There’s a growing sense of frustration about the government’s dither and delay."
Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "Make no mistake, the Conservatives have broken our asylum system - despite the cynical spin we continue to see.
"The asylum backlog is still at a record high, with people waiting longer than ever before. Returns are still exceptionally low.
“The public need clarity and transparency from the government on where these barges will be and how long they will stay there.
"The government’s approach to asylum is immoral, ineffective and incredibly expensive for the taxpayer - and their awful small boats bill will be no different."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
