UK Plans Temporary Housing for 900 Asylum Seekers in Disused Military Barracks Amidst Criticism

The UK Home Office plans to temporarily house around 900 asylum seekers at two disused military sites, Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on costly hotel accommodations. These sites, previously used to accommodate Afghan evacuees, are intended to be self-contained with on-site services and security, though local reactions are mixed, with concerns about security, impact on local services, and the suitability of such locations. Refugee organizations criticize the plans as expensive, logistically difficult, and likely to re-traumatize vulnerable individuals, suggesting alternative measures like one-off legal permissions to work and integrate. The move marks a shift for the Labour government, which had earlier criticized the use of barracks but now sees military sites as a way to cut the annual £2.1 billion accommodation cost, projected to rise significantly in coming years. Despite these intentions, critics and some MPs question whether these sites can meaningfully address the large number of asylum seekers still housed in hotels and highlight security and community integration challenges. Local councils emphasize the importance of safety and services, and some asylum seekers may be offered volunteer opportunities in the community to aid integration.