The first small group of asylum seekers has boarded the controversial Bibby Stockholm housing barge after a series of delays over safety concerns.

Up to 500 men will eventually live on the vessel in Dorset while they await the outcome of asylum applications.

Some human rights groups have called the scheme "inhumane", but ministers insist it is safe and will save money.

The Home Office said 15 people had successfully got on to the vessel, but a group of about 20 refused to board.

Asked about the refusal, the department's director for asylum accommodation Cheryl Avery said she could not go into details "of the legal proceedings for each individual".

"But we are continuing to bring people on board... later this week and then over the coming weeks as well," she added.

 

• What's it like on board migrant housing barge?

 

 

FULL STORY

 

 

I know this isn't good enough housing for asylum seekers, but how about offering it to homeless Brit citizens or returning homeless expats?

Edited August 8, 20232 yr by BritManToo

The UK has become a total laughing stock.

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I know this isn't good enough housing for asylum seekers, but how about offering it to homeless Brit citizens or returning homeless expats?

In a better country the two issues would not be conflated. 

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

The UK has become a total laughing stock.

It’s taken fourteen years of concerted effort to get there but, yes, I think you are right.

 

A total clown show.

 

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

The UK has become a total laughing stock.

The reason I left.

We had one of these at Manus Island to house the detention camp staff.

will they be sending them to Australia like the last time when humans were stored in barges?

I have read that some of the "asylum" seekers don't want to go there.

 

OK by me. send them back where they came from to rebuild their own country.

55 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s taken fourteen years of concerted effort to get there but, yes, I think you are right.

 

A total clown show.

 

14 years of protests, legal proceedings and opposition.

 

Finally a result. It's a shame the opposition couldn't see the benefits before. Would have saved alot ofvtime and money.

12 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I have read that some of the "asylum" seekers don't want to go there.

 

OK by me. send them back where they came from to rebuild their own country.

I agree.

 

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

If they don't like what they are being offered they should go somewhere else. Offer them a free one way trip to anywhere. Then see what they do.

11 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I have read that some of the "asylum" seekers don't want to go there.

 

OK by me. send them back where they came from to rebuild their own country.

I agree with you.

Conditions look better than a lot of Brits have to live in and if I was a refugee I would be grateful for the accommodation.

Why should the government continue to pay 800 pounds of taxpayers' money every week to house them in hotels? 

41 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

We had one of these at Manus Island to house the detention camp staff.

I stayed in similar accommodation when I was working offshore for a couple of oil companies, and there is nothing wrong with them – – clean and all amenities provided, so what's to complain about?

 

"Genuine" asylum seekers will be afforded a home in the UK, whilst the others should be sent back from whence they came.

47 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The reason I left.

+1 with no plans to return.

4 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

I agree.

 

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

If they don't like what they are being offered they should go somewhere else. Offer them a free one way trip to anywhere. Then see what they do.

I'd imagine that the majority would happily stay at home if the west had not been instrumental in despoiling and destroying their homelands.

23 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

14 years of protests, legal proceedings and opposition.

 

Finally a result. It's a shame the opposition couldn't see the benefits before. Would have saved alot ofvtime and money.

What could go wrong?:

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1797720/bibby-stockholm-asylum-barge-fire-risk/amp

21 minutes ago, xylophone said:

I stayed in similar accommodation when I was working offshore for a couple of oil companies, and there is nothing wrong with them – – clean and all amenities provided, so what's to complain about?

 

"Genuine" asylum seekers will be afforded a home in the UK, whilst the others should be sent back from whence they came.

I’m quite certain that your offshore oil company accommodation was built and maintained in full compliance to industry and national safety standards.

 

Genuine asylum seekers should indeed be afforded a home in the UK and bogus applicants should be deported, perhaps the Government should get on with the job of assessing their claims.

 

 

 

34 minutes ago, loong said:

I agree with you.

Conditions look better than a lot of Brits have to live in and if I was a refugee I would be grateful for the accommodation.

Why should the government continue to pay 800 pounds of taxpayers' money every week to house them in hotels? 

Because the Government are failing to clear asylum applications.

 

 

If they don't like it, put them on a truck to Kabul or make them fighting for Ukraine. Free to choose.

Western Europe has become a madhouse, run by fools.

 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s taken fourteen years of concerted effort to get there but, yes, I think you are right.

 

A total clown show.

 

Yeah when ask where you from by anyone I think I will adopt Ireland my grandfather's country on my Dad's side. ????

1 minute ago, Deli said:

If they don't like it, put them on a truck to Kabul or make them fighting for Ukraine. Free to choose.

Western Europe has become a madhouse, run by fools.

 

They would get a UK lawyer to say they get travel sickness and are a conscientious objector. ????

They claim it’s unsafe but didn’t refuse to get on the small inflatable dinghies to cross the channel to UK though. 
Would be better to use the Bibby Stockholm as a ferry and dump the lot back in France. 

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

The reason I left.

Ditto. ????

Of course, the Bibby Stockholm is not all bad news. On the positive side, it provides the Tory government another route to do what they love to do - transfer taxpayers' money into the pockets of their friends and donors.

 

Portland barge 'more expensive' than hotels for asylum seekers

23 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

They claim it’s unsafe but didn’t refuse to get on the small inflatable dinghies to cross the channel to UK though. 
Would be better to use the Bibby Stockholm as a ferry and dump the lot back in France. 

Do you understand the difference between an individual making a choice that puts them at risk and a Government making a choice that puts an individual at risk?

https://news.sky.com/story/solicitors-firms-shut-down-after-investigation-into-fake-asylum-claims-12931438

 

 

Tip of the iceberg, well done the Daily Mail.

1 hour ago, RuamRudy said:

I'd imagine that the majority would happily stay at home if the west had not been instrumental in despoiling and destroying their homelands.

Interesting. Care to elaborate why the article says there is accommodation for upto 500 men?

 

It can't be that bad if the women and children can hack it. In cases of emergency it's women and children first.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Because the Government are failing to clear asylum applications.

 

 

Not failing. You are wrong.

 

As with most things, you fail to look at the bigger picture. There is a backlog, I agree, but applications are being processed. 

 

It's not a case of "oh look. He looks OK. Rubber stamp". It's a long process. Add to that the major rise in arrivals and applications, there are always going to be delays.

 

 

Edited August 8, 20232 yr by youreavinalaff

49 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Of course, the Bibby Stockholm is not all bad news. On the positive side, it provides the Tory government another route to do what they love to do - transfer taxpayers' money into the pockets of their friends and donors.

 

Portland barge 'more expensive' than hotels for asylum seekers

Another prediction, and only from one person who is " extremely confident" without actually backing up her confidence 

 

I was extremely confident Man City would win the Community Sheild. I wonder if she was too...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12381723/Lawyers-block-transfer-20-asylum-seekers-Bibby-Stockholm-eleventh-hour-arrivals-board-vessel-goodie-bags-flowers-maps-shampoo.html