In an ironic twist, cruise ships are being hailed as the latest measure to help ‘stop the boats’. Most Fleet Street newspapers have today splashed on briefings that Channel migrants will be housed on ex-military bases, disused ships and barges, under plans that are expected to be announced later today. The aim is twofold: to act as a deterrent for future migrants and to cut the £6 million-a-day hotel bill to house the 50,000 people who are already here.
The Times reports that ministers have procured an ‘accommodation barge’ capable of holding hundreds of migrants, which is being refitted. It will probably be moored in port rather than at sea, with the location yet to be decided. Former military bases include RAF Wethersfield in Essex and RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. Sources close to Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, are briefing that he hopes to start moving new arrivals to military sites within weeks.
Versions of this policy have been briefed out multiple times under the Sunak government
The use of military bases and cruise ships are controversial for different reasons.
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