UK Labour Defends Housing 900 Asylum Seekers in Scottish, English Military Barracks Amid Public Concern

The UK government plans to house nearly 900 male asylum seekers in former military bases, specifically Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, starting at the end of next month, aiming to reduce the use of hotels for asylum accommodation. Defence Minister Luke Pollard emphasized that this decision was driven by public concern over asylum hotels and that the Ministry of Defence is supporting the Home Office to accelerate closure of these hotels and improve processing times for asylum claims. However, the announcement has faced criticism for poor communication with local authorities and concerns about the suitability and security of housing asylum seekers in city-center military barracks, particularly from local MPs and Scottish officials. Labour leader Keir Starmer defended the move, highlighting the need to process asylum claims efficiently and reduce accommodation needs while acknowledging the backlog inherited from previous Conservative administrations. Meanwhile, Downing Street hinted that housing asylum seekers in military barracks may be more costly than using hotels, though the government insists that security and fairness remain paramount and is exploring other suitable sites. The plan reflects a shift in government policy, reversing previous intentions to end the use of military sites for asylum seeker accommodation, with the government aiming to restore public confidence by addressing community concerns.