Home Office seeks planning for three more military sites to house asylum seekers
6 reported
The Home Office is seeking planning permission to use three additional military bases to accommodate thousands of asylum seekers, according to a government statement. The sites in Bicester, Barnham, and Linton-on-Ouse would house 3,750 people, while existing bases in Crowborough and Wethersfield would see extended use. Refugee charities and local stakeholders have criticized the plan as “arrogant” and “costly,” suggesting it may cost more than housing claimants in hotels. The Labour government has pledged to phase out hotel use for asylum seekers, which has fallen to its lowest level since 2022. Justice minister Jake Richards stated that the priority is addressing community problems caused by hotels, though he acknowledged costs depend on the specific hotel.
What’s reported
The Home Office is seeking planning permission for three Ministry of Defence sites: Bicester (Oxfordshire), Barnham (Suffolk), and Linton-on-Ouse (North Yorkshire).
The three sites would accommodate 3,750 asylum seekers.
The government also wants to extend use of existing sites in Crowborough (East Sussex) until 2030 and Wethersfield (Essex) beyond 2027.
Refugee charities and local stakeholders have denounced the plans as “arrogant” and “costly.”
As of March, 20,885 asylum seekers (21%) were in hotels, down from a peak of around 56,000 in September 2023.
Justice minister Jake Richards said the cost of using barracks versus hotels depends on the hotel, and the priority is closing hotels.
Key figures
Jake Richards, justice minister
Sources: The Guardian
