Charities condemn ‘arrogant’ plans to house asylum seekers at former military sites
Planning permission has been sought for three additional military sites
TL;DR
- Home Office plans to use three former military sites (MOD Bicester, RAF Barnham, RAF Linton-on-Ouse) to house asylum seekers.
- These sites could potentially house 3,750 claimants.
- Ministers also plan to extend the use of existing sites like Crowborough and Wethersfield.
- Refugee charities and local stakeholders condemn the plans as 'arrogant,' 'costly,' and 'a political fix,' stating barracks are more expensive than hotels.
- Critics argue that military-style accommodation isolates asylum seekers from local communities and essential services.
- Local politicians and action groups in Bicester and Linton-on-Ouse have previously opposed similar plans.
- The number of asylum seekers housed in UK hotels has fallen significantly, reaching its lowest level since 2022.
- The Home Office has closed 20 more asylum hotels.