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The UK is to end use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers, bringing a close to the previous Conservative government’s contentious and costly initiatives for migrant accommodation.
The Home Office said on Tuesday that a decision had been taken not to renew the contract for use of the vessel, which is berthed at Portland in Dorset, beyond January 2025.
The decision formed part of Labour’s commitment to speed up the processing of asylum claims and save money on housing the tens of thousands of people caught up in the asylum system, the Home Office added.
Dame Angela Eagle, minister for border security and asylum, said the government was “determined to restore order to the asylum system, so that it operates swiftly, firmly and fairly”.
Former home secretary Suella Braverman said the vessel, which had a capacity to house just over 500 men,…
