The Home Office has disclosed that the initial group of asylum seekers has been relocated to a military barracks in Sussex. This move saw 27 individuals being accommodated at the Crowborough training camp during the early hours of Thursday. The government’s plan is to utilize decommissioned Ministry of Defence sites to reduce the number of asylum seekers residing in hotels.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the use of Crowborough is just the beginning of a series of sites that will be brought forward to close all asylum hotels and return them to local communities, emphasizing the restoration of order and control to the borders. The decision to house individuals at Crowborough is temporary, with a maximum stay of three months while their asylum claims are processed. In case of a rejected application, the individuals will be relocated.
The government highlighted a decrease in the use of hotels to accommodate migrants, from over 400 under the previous administration to less than 200 presently. The Labour party has committed to shutting down all remaining hotels by 2029, with Keir Starmer aiming for an earlier completion. However, critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the move, with Imran Hussain from the Refugee Council questioning the government’s approach and advocating for a different solution.
Wealden District Council expressed opposition to the barracks being used for asylum seekers, despite their objections not being heeded by the Home Office. The council is exploring legal options but acknowledges the likelihood of the camp opening. The Home Office assured that stringent screenings and health checks have been conducted for all individuals housed at the site.
The number of asylum seekers in hotels stood at 36,273 in September, awaiting decisions on their claims. This figure had reached a peak of 56,018 in September 2023 under the previous government but declined to 29,561 in June 2024 before the general election.