Cleverly: No MP would want large-scale asylum seeker accommodation in their area

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s local council has objected to plans for migrant accommodation at a disused airfield.
A Cabinet minister has acknowledged that no MP would want a large-scale facility to house asylum seekers in their area as the Government reportedly stepped up efforts to find accommodation on ships (PA)
PA Wire
David Hughes2 May 2023
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A Cabinet minister has acknowledged that no MP would want a large-scale facility to house asylum seekers in their area as the Government reportedly stepped up efforts to find accommodation on ships.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill is intended to speed up the system so large-scale accommodation facilities will not be needed in future.

The Braintree MP’s local council failed to secure a High Court injunction blocking the Government’s plans to use the redundant RAF Wethersfield airfield in Essex to house asylum seekers.

Mr Cleverly told Sky News: “Of course, no-one would want a facility like that in their constituency … but the point I’m saying is that the legislation we are putting through is to reduce the need for facilities like that.”

On Wethersfield, he added: “I have concerns about the remoteness of the site and the road network around that.

“The bottom line is if the decision is made that that is where this site needs to be – and it’s not a decision for me to make exclusively – but if that is the decision that’s made, I want to make sure it works effectively, properly and our wider immigration system is fit for purpose.”

The Illegal Migration Bill is intended to change the law so those who arrive in the UK without permission will not be able to stay to claim asylum and will instead be detained and promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda.

The clampdown has been prompted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats” bringing migrants across the English Channel.

More than 6,000 migrants have been detected crossing the channel so far in 2023.

The latest Home Office figures showed 246 migrants were detected in six boats on May 1, taking the total for the year to 6,192.

Mr Cleverly’s comments came as The Guardian said the Home Office is planning to use 10 redundant cruise ships, ferries and barges to house asylum seekers in ports around the country, with Liverpool expected to be next in line.

Ministers have already confirmed plans to use an accommodation barge moored in Portland Port, Dorset, to house around 500 asylum seekers.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for money for taxpayers than hotels.

“This includes the potential use of vessels to provide accommodation.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in