The British government is considering using military sites to temporarily house asylum seekers arriving via the English Channel, in a bid to reduce dependence on hotels and quell growing public discontent.
Speaking in an interview with Sky News on Sunday, UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that the government is exploring alternative accommodations.
“We are looking at the potential use of military and non-military sites for temporary accommodation for the people who come across on these small boats,” Healey stated.
The move came amid mounting criticism over the continued use of hotels to house migrants. Several communities have staged protests near hotel sites, while the government has faced legal challenges from local authorities and advocacy groups.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood described the continued arrival of migrants via the Channel as “utterly unacceptable,” adding that the government is determined to take tougher action.
According to official figures, over 30,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since January, a number that has intensified pressure on the government to overhaul the asylum system.
In a significant policy development, Mahmood confirmed that a bilateral agreement with France, which came into force in early August, would enable the UK to return some migrants across the Channel.
The previous Conservative government had already begun repurposing two disused military bases to accommodate several hundred asylum seekers. The move was met with criticism from migrant support organisations, who argued that such facilities are ill-equipped to house vulnerable individuals.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to end the use of hotels for migrant housing within the next four years. His administration claims progress is already being made, noting that the number of hotels used has been halved compared to last year.
