England: ‘Floating prison’ for asylum seekers to be closed next year

Moored in Portland, Dorset, it is one of three major accommodation sites for asylum seekers. The “floating prison” was commissioned in April 2023 but only began housing people in August.

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) said in a statement: “The Bibby Stockholm should never have opened in the first place and the government is right to end this shameful practice.

“People seeking sanctuary should never have been forced onto a floating prison, instead they should be housed in our communities, where they belong.

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen the Rwanda scheme scrapped and now the Bibby Stockholm is set to be closed but this is the bare minimum.”

Ending the use of the Bibby Stockholm forms part of the government’s expected £7.7 billion of savings in asylum costs over the next ten years. Extending its use would have cost over £20 million next year. The barge will continue to be used until January 2025, after which the contract ends.

Minister for border security and asylum, Dame Angela Eagle MP, said: “We are determined to restore order to the asylum system, so that it operates swiftly, firmly and fairly; and ensures the rules are properly enforced.

“The Home Secretary has set out plans to start clearing the asylum backlog and making savings on accommodation which is running up vast bills for the taxpayer.

“The Bibby Stockholm will continue to be in use until the contract expires in January 2025.”