British Armed Forces Sites to Host Asylum Seekers in Initiative to Cease Hotel-Based Usage
Several hundred refugee applicants could be housed in defense installations as the government aims to terminate the reliance of hotel accommodations.
Talks are in progress regarding the use of two sites - a facility in northern Britain and a second in the southern England - for housing for 900 male individuals.
The Prime Minister has ordered Interior Ministry and Defense Department officials to speed up efforts to find appropriate military sites.
The ruling party has vowed to eliminate the operation of asylum hotels, which have cost billions of pounds and become a central issue for anti-asylum seeker rallies.
Under Consideration Military Facilities
Asylum seekers may be placed in the Inverness barracks in Inverness and East Sussex training site in southeastern England by the final days of the upcoming month.
Commercial facilities, short-term shelter and previously unused facilities are also being examined for potential use.
Authorities Statements
Government sources indicated that each location would comply with health and safety standards.
"We are deeply troubled at the level of individuals without proper documentation and temporary hotel accommodations."
"The current leadership will shut down every asylum hotel. Efforts are progressing effectively, with more suitable sites being identified to reduce burden for local areas and decrease migrant housing expenditures."
Present Accommodation Figures
Nearly 32,000 refugee applicants are at this time being sheltered in hotels, representing a decrease from a high point of more than 56,000 in the previous year.
A recent report found that multiple billions of public funds had been "misused" on migrant shelter.
Previous Military Facility Operation
Two ex-armed forces locations - the Wethersfield facility in Essex and the Napier facility in Kent - are currently being operated to accommodate asylum seekers after being established under the prior administration.
The government leader stated on the circumstances, stating: "The government is committed to shut down every refugee hotel. I can't tell you how frustrated and angry we are that we face a mess as big as this by the previous administration."
