Newcastle’s council leader has hit out at “inhumane” plans to house asylum seekers on giant barges, after reports that one of the vessels could be moored on Tyneside.
Nick Kemp said he was “totally against” the controversial migrant accommodation proposals and would fight any attempts from the Government to install them in the region. The Guardian reported earlier this week that Tyneside was among the possible locations where a barge could be berthed, with another thought to be earmarked for Teesport.
However, the Government has so far declined to confirm where the huge barges will be. Coun Kemp said: “We are totally against plans to house people seeking asylum in vessels moored on Tyneside and in other areas of the country.
Read More: Thousands of asylum seekers could be housed in vessels on Tyneside
"It is inhumane to treat people in this way and it does not give them access to the vital support that communities can provide during this difficult time in their lives.
“Newcastle is a City of Sanctuary and is proud of its long history of supporting vulnerable people who are in need of a safe place to rebuild their lives. We are committed to fighting against these plans and are calling on the Government to find a better solution for all those involved.”
Rishi Sunak this week insisted that his pledge to “stop the boats” was “starting to work”, as he confirmed that two more barges will be used to house asylum seekers. Reports have suggested that Liverpool and Teesside would be the locations for those next two vessels, following one that is already confirmed to be heading to Dorset.
The Guardian also cited sources that said talks had been held over the Government securing more barges and disused cruise ships and listed Tyneside among numerous further possible destinations. Then, on Thursday, it was confirmed that permission had been rejected for one to be located at an east London docks.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels. This is why we continue to source new alternative sites and vessels to accommodate migrants, which are more manageable for communities, as our European neighbours are doing.”
The prospect of a barge being moored at Teesport also sparked a row on Teesside this week. Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, Labour’s Alec Brown, said his authority had not been contacted by the Government and that the plans are “something more akin to Victorian times”.
Conservative Redcar MP Jacob Young claimed local Labour politicians have tried to prevent the government from taking “robust action” to tackle illegal migration and suggested that the barge “should go in one of their constituencies” rather than his.
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