Some of the illegal migrants who were ordered back onto the Bibby Stockholm barge in August have now chosen to stay with friends and family in the UK instead. This decision comes after months of staying in taxpayer-funded hotels. It is reported that not everyone from the initial group will return to the barge on Thursday. The revelation that they had been staying in hotels, costing the government £8 million per day, has sparked incredulity.
Hotel stays come to an end
An immigration enforcement source commented on the situation, stating, "It just shows what these migrants are up to – 'give me a hotel and meals for free on the taxpayer' until they realize it's going to be a barge and then they've got a mate who can put them up." In August, a legionella scare led to the Home Office moving all 39 migrants off the Bibby Stockholm and into hotels. Now, after two months of checks, the asylum seekers are set to return to the 500-bed vessel.
Commitment to housing asylum seekers on barges
Downing Street has reiterated its commitment to the plan of housing asylum seekers on barges in order to reduce the costly hotel bill. It is worth noting that illegal migrants are allowed to live wherever they like during the asylum process as long as they do not abscond. New powers that have yet to be used will give the Home Secretary the ability to detain and remove migrants to a third country, such as Rwanda.
Reactions from MPs
Tory MP Marco Longhi expressed his opinion on the matter, stating, "Illegal immigrants should not have a choice of where to stay. By coming to the country illegally they have committed a crime and should be detained." Another Tory MP, Suella Braverman, recently won a High Court battle against a local councillor who challenged the lawfulness of housing migrants on barges.
Government's commitment to ending expensive hotel stays
In response to the situation, a Home Office spokesperson said, "The government is committed to ending the use of expensive hotels for asylum seekers. We do not routinely comment on individual cases." Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak faced criticism from his own party for the small boats crisis, with Tory MP Jill Mortimer demanding action to tackle illegal migration.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, assured Mortimer that the government is doing everything possible to address illegal migration and remove those who have no right to be in the UK.
