Migrants who cross Channel to be housed in military barracks

15 September 2020, 16:11

Napier Barracks in Folkestone will be used to house migrants who cross the Channel
Napier Barracks in Folkestone will be used to house migrants who cross the Channel. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Migrants who cross the English Channel in small dinghies are to be housed in a military barracks in Kent while their asylum claims are processed.

Roughly 400 people, including families, will be given temporary accommodation at Napier Barracks in Folkestone from next week.

The Home Office's decision has attracted criticism from within the Conservative Party, with local MP Damian Collins, of Folkestone and Hythe, accusing the department of "exceptionally poor communication".

He said he "cannot support" the plans and called on the ministry to find "more suitable" accommodation for the migrants - including those who cross the Channel in small boats.

The Home Office is also believed to be considering a barracks in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales.

Read more: Migrants land on Kent beach in rubber dinghy after crossing Channel

Read more: Record-breaking number of migrants reach UK shores on Wednesday

Migrants make off at speed as dinghy lands at Kent beach

It comes after at least 168 people made the perilous crossing into the UK aboard 12 dinghies on Monday, with more refugees landing on a beach in Kent on Tuesday.

In a joint letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel, Mr Collins, along with the Conservative leader of Folkestone and Hythe District Council and the chairman of Sandgate Parish Council, demanded she reverse the decision.

They said: "We have great concerns about the impact this large open camp will have on the welfare of the local residential community and also those people in the asylum system who will be placed at the barracks itself."

In a statement, Folkestone and Hythe District Council cited a "lack of consultation on this matter and the exceptionally poor communication with us".

They added: "We are quite sure that members of the community will have many questions, and we are seeking clarification as a matter of urgency."

Read more: Demonstrators accuse government of 'dehumanising' asylum seekers

Watch: David Miliband - 'refugees shouldn't just be seen as a burden'

Pro-migrant demonstrators gather in Dover's market square

In response, a UK Government spokesman said: "During these unprecedented times, the government is working with a range of partners and across departments to secure further accommodation and the MoD (Ministry of Defence) has offered use of some of its sites.

"When using contingency accommodation we work closely with organisations, including local authorities and law enforcement, throughout the process to ensure value for money and that vulnerable asylum seekers, who would otherwise be destitute, have suitable accommodation while their claims are processed."

The two sites are part of the MoD training estate, the Press Association news agency understands.

Training at the bases will be relocated to alternative sites or rescheduled to ensure no military personnel are present if and when they are used by the Home Office.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, immigration minister Chris Philp said 14 people who had crossed the Channel to Britain had been deported.

Speaking on Twitter, he said they were removed to European countries following "last minute vexatious legal claims".

Other migrants, including women and children too young to walk, were brought into the port of Dover by Border Force staff on Tuesday.

Of the 168 people who made the crossing on Monday, a group of 10 were pictured landing on Kingsdown beach in Kent and making off away from the shoreline.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner