The Bibby Stockholm barge, which has been used to accommodate asylum seekers, is set to be shut down in January 2025. The Home Office announced that the vessel, currently housing 400 migrants, will no longer be needed as part of efforts to save £7.7bn in asylum costs over the next decade. The decision to close the barge comes after a man seeking asylum died in a suspected suicide on board. The closure is part of the government’s plan to restore order to the asylum system and clear the backlog of asylum claims.
The Bibby Stockholm has been a controversial element of the government’s approach to migration, with reports of overcrowding, delays in processing claims, and difficulties accessing medical treatment. Last week, asylum seekers staged a sit-down protest on the vessel to highlight these issues. The closure of the barge is part of a larger effort to make savings on accommodation costs for asylum seekers, which have been criticized for running up vast bills for taxpayers.
Other facilities used to accommodate migrants, including RAF Scampton and RAF Wethersfield, are also expected to be closed down by the Labour government. The decision to shut down the Bibby Stockholm highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the asylum system and ensuring the fair and efficient processing of asylum claims.
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