Fire safety concerns delay arrival of first asylum seekers on Bibby Stockholm barge

Asylum seekers will not be moved on to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge on Tuesday as planned after last minute meetings responding to fire safety concerns, Sky News understands.

However, there is still a possibility that they could be moved on to the barge – which is currently docked in Portland on the coast of Dorset – later this week.

A Home Office spokesperson said the vessel is “undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers”.

“This is part of the government’s plan to reduce the use of expensive hotels and offer alternative accommodation that is more manageable and better value for communities, just like our European neighbours are already doing,” they added.

“We continue to work closely with Dorset and Portland councils, as well as the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact in Portland, including providing substantial funding to local services, to address the local community’s concerns.”

The first asylum seekers were originally due to move on to the barge last week, but Sky News reported that their arrival had been pushed back until Tuesday this week.

In a tweet on 18 July announcing its arrival, the Home Office said: “Next week the first asylum seekers will be moved to the vessel as part of a carefully structured plan which will increase the numbers gradually.”

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However, the Times reported that serious safety concerns were raised about the facility and that approval from the fire service was outstanding.

One source told the paper of fears that the vessel could become a “floating Grenfell” – a reference to the fire that broke out at the West London tower block in 2017, killing 72 people.

The 222-bedroom barge will start housing 50 single men initially before housing up to 500 people who are currently staying in hotels.

It is just one of a number of alternative sites the government has located to end the use of hotels, which is costing the taxpayer around £6m a day.

As well as the barge, the Home Office also plans to move people into disused military sites, including RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and Wethersfield Airfield in Essex.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has also purchased marquees to house up to 2,0000 asylum seekers at disused military sites, in a move that has been criticised as “staggering” and “cruel” by critics.

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