UK Plans House 900 Asylum Seekers in Military Bases Amid Costs, Public Concern

The UK government plans to house around 900 male asylum seekers at former military bases, specifically Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, starting from November, as part of an effort to close asylum hotels amid public concern. Defence Minister Luke Pollard emphasized that the move responds to community concerns and the Prime Minister's commitment to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the end of the parliamentary term, with the Ministry of Defence supporting this initiative. However, the announcement has faced criticism for poor consultation with local authorities, particularly in Inverness where local MPs and councils were informed late, and concerns about the suitability and security of military barracks located near residential areas. Opposition voices, including local MPs and Scottish officials, question the appropriateness of housing large numbers of asylum seekers in city-center barracks and criticize the government's handling of the asylum system backlog inherited from previous Conservative administrations. Downing Street acknowledged that costs for housing asylum seekers in military barracks might exceed those of hotels but prioritized security and public confidence over cost concerns. Labour leader Keir Starmer defended the plan as part of a broader strategy to process claims efficiently and reduce reliance on hotel accommodation, highlighting the need to remove individuals without the right to remain in the UK while ensuring alternative safe housing solutions.