- Tent Housing Plan: Government Considers Housing Migrants in Tents
- Early Stages of Development: Home Office in Initial Phases of Planning
- Controversy and Criticism: Concerns Over Violation of Human Rights Law
The Home Office is working on plans to house hundreds of migrants in tents on vast sites across the country.
According to a government source, the department is still in the early stages of developing the plans.
In recent months, the Conservatives have announced several new controversial accommodation sites, including former military bases and vessels, as Rishi Sunak attempts to combat small boat crossings and rising backlogs in the asylum system.
The prime minister has made “stopping the boats” one of his five annual priorities and is introducing a new law that will give ministers the authority to deny asylum applications from those who have entered the country via the Channel.
The Illegal Migration Bill also allows the home secretary to deport unaccompanied minors over 18.
Despite increased safeguards, about 11,000 people have risked crossing the Channel this year.
312 people crossed the border on Thursday, bringing the total for June to 3,303, greater than June 2022.
And the plans have attracted a large number of critics, including opposition lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and some official bodies who have warned that they may violate international human rights law.
The government did not deny the reports, with a spokesperson told, “We have been clear that the use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable – more than 51,000 asylum seekers are currently being housed in hotels for £6 million per day to the UK taxpayer.
“We continue to collaborate across government and with local governments to examine a variety of housing options.
The mandatory housing provided to asylum seekers satisfies our legal and contractual requirements.
