Government reveals full details of plan to house 500 asylum seekers on a barge in Dorset

The Metro says The government has laid out controversial plans to house around 500 asylum seekers on a barge off the coast of Dorset.

The Home Office said the three-storey vessel, named Bibby Stockholm, would be berthed in Portland, where the local MP and council have threatened legal challenges.

The 93-metre long barge, being leased from Liverpool-based Bibby Marine Limited, previously saw at least one person die and reports of rape and abuse on board when it was used by the Dutch government to detain asylum seekers.

The Home Office said only “single adult males” would be housed on the vessel, and that it needed to move asylum seekers out of hotels that are currently costing more than £6m per day.

“It will provide basic and functional accommodation, and healthcare provision, catering facilities and 24/7 security will be in place on board, to minimise the disruption to local communities,” a spokesperson added.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/suella-braverman-migrant-barge-dorset-b2314617.html