Delays to moving asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge are now being caused by checks on working practices, Sky News understands.

A Home Office source confirmed reports that fire safety issues did lead to initial setbacks, saying a door had been put on the wrong way round.

But now that has been fixed, there is another hold up because the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is looking at working practices for port authority workers, they added.

Politics live: Net zero debate rages as Downing Street hosts energy summit

The barge, which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset, was supposed to start accepting arrivals last week, but the date was pushed back as more work was needed.

The first people were then due to move on to the vessel on Tuesday this week, but that plan was also held up after last minute meetings were held responding to fire safety concerns.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The 222-bedroom Bibby Stockholm will eventually house up to 500 male asylum seekers who are currently staying in hotels, as the government seeks to cut its accommodation costs while their claims are processed.

But the current plan is to start with 50 people – when the vessel is ready.

The barge will have 24-hour security and accommodate single men only, who will sleep in bunk beds with between two and six people per en-suite room.

Reports of fire safety issues surfaced in recent days, with the Fire Brigades Union claiming the government was taking “a reckless approach to the safety and well-being of both vulnerable refugees and firefighters”.

Asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday: “All migrant accommodation has to go through a series of checks and inspections to make sure it complies with regulations. That’s what’s happening in this case.

“This is ultimately about fairness. I don’t think it’s fair that British taxpayers are forking out £6m a day to house illegal migrants in hotels.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The vessel has attracted a backlash from local Tory MPs as well, with Chris Loder demanding to see safety reports, claiming the barge was going to house double the amount of people it was designed to hold.

Sky News has approached the Home Office for comment.

Related posts:

Home Secretary considering sending asylum seekers thousands of miles away to be processed NHS chief Sir Simon Stevens stays tight-lipped when asked whether Matt Hancock is ‘hopeless’ Senior Tory MP calls for face-to-face meetings with constituents to be paused in wake of Amess killing Terror suspect accused of killing MP is son of former top aide to Somali PM PM says ‘cyber flashing’ should be illegal as he’s tackled over violence against women Remaining COVID restrictions in England will be scrapped on Thursday and free testing to end in April Five Russian banks and three wealthy individuals targeted in UK sanctions on Russia PM looks increasingly isolated over Pincher saga – and it could get worse still Sunak under fire for claiming he worked to divert money from ‘deprived urban areas’ when chancellor Corbyn to be blocked from standing as Labour MP at next election, Starmer to confirm Humza Yousaf: The life, political path and controversies of the new SNP leader Labour unveils five-point plan for mortgage crisis – but PM says beating inflation must come first