End of an Era: UK to Close Bibby Stockholm Barge Amid Sweeping Asylum System Reforms

Bibby Stockholm barge to be shut down as Labour revamps asylum policies

Originally deployed by the Conservative party to reduce costly hotel expenses, the government has now decided to prioritize addressing the accumulation of unresolved asylum applications.

By Jennifer Scott and Alix Culbertson, correspondents covering politics

Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 3

The Bibby Stockholm barge will cease to accommodate asylum seekers starting January 2025, following changes in the government's asylum policies.

The floating accommodation docked in Dorset was established by the previous Conservative administration as part of its strategy to reduce hotel expenses for individuals who arrived in the UK on small boats and were pending asylum hearings.

The Home Office has announced that it will terminate the contract starting next year in an effort to address the backlog and reform the asylum process, which is expected to save over £20 million by not renewing it.

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Eliminating the barge capable of accommodating up to 500 men is anticipated to contribute to £7.7 billion in asylum-related savings over the coming ten years, according to the Home Office. This move comes as the incoming Labour administration implements its policy changes.

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Dame Angela Eagle, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, stated: "We are committed to bringing organization back to the asylum system to ensure it functions efficiently, robustly, and justly while maintaining strict adherence to the rules."

The interior minister has unveiled strategies to address the accumulation of pending asylum cases and reduce the high costs of housing, which are currently a significant expense for taxpayers.

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"The Bibby Stockholm is set to remain operational until its contract concludes in January 2025."

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In August 2023, the Conservative administration initiated the deployment of a three-storey barge for accommodating asylum seekers, facing criticism from members of parliament, human rights organizations, and residents of the area.

The initiative faced legal disputes and public demonstrations, and shortly after the initial cohort embarked, authorities detected an outbreak of Legionella bacteria within the water system of the barge.

In December, an Albanian individual seeking asylum passed away while on board.

However, the party supported the housing arrangement, with then-Home Secretary James Cleverly expressing his "total confidence" that the Bibby Stockholm was complying with all legal standards. He emphasized, "We are deeply committed to the physical and mental well-being of those within the asylum system."

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Labour has consistently opposed the policy, arguing that it would implement alternative strategies to address the problems of the asylum backlog and illegal immigration.

The administration has discarded the Conservative Party's policy of deporting individuals to Rwanda, opting to redirect those resources towards establishing a new Border Security Command (BSC). This initiative aims to combat the criminal networks responsible for orchestrating illegal crossings of the Channel.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to addressing illegal migration by targeting its roots, allocating £84 million to support health and education initiatives overseas. This funding aims to eliminate the initial reasons that compel individuals to leave their homes.

During the recent summit of the European Political Community held at Blenheim Palace, he announced an enhancement of collaborations with European allies. This includes expanding the UK’s involvement in Europol, establishing new agreements with Slovenia and Slovakia to combat organized crime, and a pledge to increase intelligence sharing to dismantle criminal networks.

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