The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has written to Suella Braverman about concerns over fire safety in accommodation for asylum seekers, including the Bibby Stockholm, and demanded an urgent meeting with the home secretary.
The FBU’s letter states: ‘Fire and rescue is a humanitarian service, designed to protect everyone regardless of their circumstances or background. Fire does not discriminate and therefore neither should safety regulations.’
The letter issues warnings about overcrowding, a potential lack of entries and exits, and narrow corridors and doorways on the Bibby Stockholm, which is moored in Portland, Dorset.
FBU assistant general secretary Ben Selby said: ‘The Government has already scrapped vital fire safety measures for asylum seeker accommodation. Now, it wants to put more than 500 people onto an off-shore barge designed to hold around 200.
‘This is a cruel and reckless approach to the welfare of asylum seekers and puts the safety of firefighters at risk.’
The union previously criticized the Government’s plans to exempt asylum seeker accommodation from requirements for HMO (house in multiple occupation) licences, which give local authorities a duty to check that adequate safety measures are in place.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The Bibby Stockholm is being readied for the arrival of the first asylum seekers and will comply with all appropriate regulations. The vessel will adhere to all relevant health and safety standards, including over fire risk and to suggest otherwise is wrong.’
Asylum seekers were expected to move onto the barge this week, but their arrival was delayed, and the Government has not given a new timeframe.
