In a fight against irregular immigration, the British government announced on Wednesday (29) that it would temporarily house asylum seekers on former military bases and on boats to reduce hotel rates where they currently stay.
Last year, a record number of people – more than 45,000 – arrived illegally on British shores in small boats, helping to overwhelm the UK’s asylum system.
The Conservative government wants to block irregular migrants from entering the country and send them to the African country of Rwanda, 6,500km from London, in a controversial plan currently awaiting a court ruling.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to halve the cost of putting them up in hotels, which equates to $2.8 billion (about 14 billion rais) annually for British taxpayers.
“Accommodation of migrants must meet their basic needs and nothing more,” Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told parliament this Wednesday. “We don’t risk becoming a magnet for the millions of people who move every year and are looking for better financial conditions,” he added.
He said the government intended to house “thousands of asylum seekers” in adapted facilities and prefabricated buildings at two former British air force bases in east and south-east England.
In addition, it is “analyzing the possibility of accommodating migrants on boats,” he added.
The possibility, floated by the press this Wednesday, has been condemned by refugee protection organizations.
In an effort to overcome local opposition, Jenrick promised the facilities would provide basic medical services and be staffed full-time.
The British government on Tuesday announced plans to resettle 8,000 Afghans fleeing the Taliban to the UK and staying in hotels, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition and refugee organisations.
acc/mb/jc
