Home Office postpones plan to accommodate asylum seekers at military bases

The Home Office has postponed its plans to accommodate asylum seekers at two military locations in East Sussex and the Scottish Highlands. Approximately 540 men were set to be relocated to the Crowborough army training camp, while 300 men were intended for Cameron Barracks in Inverness.

Initially, the government aimed to transfer asylum seekers by early December as part of efforts to phase out asylum hotels. The Home Office explained the delay was intended to prevent rushed arrangements that could result in unsafe or disorganized conditions. Officials stated that relocations would proceed only when the facilities are fully prepared and secure.

Both Crowborough and Cameron Barracks had been identified earlier this year as possible temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. In East Sussex, Wealden District Council formally opposed the Crowborough plan. Similarly, Highland Council voiced concerns about the barracks capacity and potential strain on local services.

The Inverness base, which is 140 years old, has previously housed families fleeing Afghanistan. Despite the delay, the Home Office affirmed its intention to expedite the relocation process while ensuring the safety of local communities.

A spokesperson emphasized that moving asylum seekers to large military sites is a key element in reform efforts to reduce incentives for illegal migration to the UK. Authorities plan to proceed with transfers to Cameron Barracks once the site is fully operational and safe, coordinating closely with local councils and representatives.

Public opposition to housing asylum seekers in hotels has been widespread. During the summer, protests erupted across the UK, including in Scotland outside hotels in Perth, Aberdeenshire, and Falkirk. In one incident, a brick was thrown through a hotel window in Falkirk following tensions between pro- and anti-immigration demonstrators. Concerns also arose after a former resident of a local hotel was sentenced for serious criminal offenses.

Highland Council requested clarification from the Home Office on the relocation proposals in early November. Officials noted that around 60 asylum seekers per week could be moved to the barracks starting in the second week of December, with the site intended for temporary use of approximately 12 months before reverting to military purposes. Reports highlighted potential challenges, including the risk of protests and the possibility of the site becoming a target for individuals seeking to provoke violence.

A council spokesperson explained that a multi-agency partnershipincluding the council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish government, Cosla, and the Home Officenow meets weekly to coordinate preparations and apply best practices for the arrival of asylum seekers.

The barracks relocation plan presents complex logistical and social challenges, requiring careful planning and collaboration between authorities and local communities.

Author: Sophia Brooks