Martin Ford 08 June 2023

Aslyum barges plan branded ‘cruel and unworkable’

A council leader has attacked plans to house asylum seekers on barges in ports.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced in a speech that the Government had secured two barges that will each accommodate about 1,000 people to ‘reduce pressures on local communities’ and reliance on hotels.

The locations have not yet been confirmed, but reports have mentioned Middlesbrough, Liverpool, the Royal Docks in Newham, and Newcastle.

Newham LBC mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: 'The Prime Minister’s actions are a cynical and repugnant response to the desperate plight facing people fleeing war, famine and torture.

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