Transport Minister Richard Holden has stated that he cannot provide a timeframe for when asylum seekers will be housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset. The Home Office had planned to send the first 50 migrants to the barge on Tuesday, but final safety checks are still ongoing, with fire service approval pending. Mr. Holden emphasized the importance of getting the safety checks right and said the process will take as long as needed.
The government aims to use barges as a cost-saving measure to accommodate male migrants, hoping to confirm the use of more barges in the future. However, they have faced difficulties in finding suitable ports thus far. The plan for the Bibby Stockholm barge is to initially house 50 men, but this number could potentially grow to over 500 in the coming months due to the decision to allow room sharing.
Local opposition to the plan has arisen, with protests being staged by both local councillors and residents. Conservative MP for South Dorset Richard Drax has also called on the government to remove the barge. Any safety concerns or issues could further hinder the expansion of the barge housing scheme. The government believes that a successful implementation in Dorset will encourage other areas to participate.
While an assessment from the Home Office is expected, Minister Holden could not provide a specific date for the barge to become operational.