London’s Royal Docks Reject Government Request to House Asylum Seekers on Barges

London’s Royal Docks has officially rejected the Home Office’s request to berth a barge to accommodate asylum seekers.

The decision was communicated to the Home Office last month, stating that the water near City Airport would not be suitable for mooring a floating accommodation vessel.

This rejection is part of the government’s efforts to discourage dangerous Channel crossings and reduce spending on hotels for migrants using unlawful routes.

London Mayor Opposes the Use of Barges:

Labour Mayor of London, Mr Khan, publicly expressed his objection to using a location in the capital for housing asylum seekers on a barge.

In a letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Khan affirmed his support for the Royal Docks’ decision and strongly opposed the government’s policy on accommodating asylum seekers on vessels.

Royal Docks’ Decision and Communication:

Scott Derben, the managing director of London’s Royal Docks, confirmed that the Home Office had approached them to explore the feasibility of using a cruise ship to house asylum seekers.

However, after careful consideration, it was concluded that the Royal Docks would not be an appropriate location for this purpose.

The Home Office was duly informed of this decision in May.

Concerns and Opposition by the London Mayor:

Mayor Khan highlighted London’s history of providing sanctuary for refugees and expressed deep concerns about the Conservative Government’s policy of housing asylum seekers on barges.

He argued that there is no evidence to suggest that barge accommodation would deter those seeking to come to Britain and emphasized the unsuitable living conditions it would impose on a large number of people.

Additionally, he raised concerns about the visibility of the boats and the potential risk of far-right protests targeting the asylum seekers.

Rishi Sunak’s Statement and Speculation on New Barges:

Chancellor Rishi Sunak claimed that his pledge to “stop the boats” was showing progress and announced that two additional large vessels would be used for migrant accommodation.While the specific locations for these new barges were not disclosed by the Prime Minister, there has been speculation that they might be moored near Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

The Royal Docks, along with other potential locations, was mentioned in The Guardian as part of plans to acquire more barges and former cruise ships.

Home Office Response and Community Management:

In response to the Royal Docks’ rejection, a Home Office spokeswoman emphasized the growing pressure on the asylum system and the need to explore cost-effective accommodation options.

The Home Office will continue to seek alternative sites and vessels for accommodating migrants, taking into consideration the concerns of local communities and collaborating with councils and key partners to manage the impact.

Pause of Two-Tier Refugee System:

Labour accused the government of quietly abandoning the two-tier refugee system introduced under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick confirmed that the differentiation policy would be paused from July.

This means that all successful asylum applicants, regardless of their route to the UK, will receive the same conditions.

However, the government’s ability to remove failed asylum applicants remains unchanged.

Criticism of the Illegal Migration Bill:

The government’s Illegal Migration Bill, currently in the Lords, has faced strong criticism and scrutiny from peers.Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed dissatisfaction with the policy, stating that Labour had warned it would worsen bureaucracy and chaos.

She criticized the government for quietly announcing the decision through a written statement, evading scrutiny by Parliament and the press.

Cooper emphasized Labour’s commitment to fixing the broken asylum system.