U.K. Cracks Down on Refugee Rights in Right-Wing Effort to “Stop the Boats”
Democracy NowNov 25, 2022
British Government Leases Barge to House 500 Asylum Seekers
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Image copyright: PA Images [via The Guardian]
The Facts
The UK government announced Wednesday that it has leased a barge to house roughly 500 male asylum seekers on England's south coast — sparking criticism from local groups, refugee charities, and Conservative MP Richard Drax who represents the constituency of South Dorset where the barge will be moored.
The Home Office said the vessel will be used "to reduce the unsustainable pressure on the UK's asylum system and cut the cost to the taxpayer caused by the significant increase in Channel crossings." It will house single men while their asylum claims are processed, with the first residents due in the "coming months."
The Spin
Right narrative
The UK government is currently spending a staggering £6M a day to house illegal immigrants. Not only would these plans massively reduce these costs, but they would signal to those intending to travel to the UK that Britain isn't a soft touch when it comes to illegal migration.
Left narrative
These plans could amount to arbitrary detention and breach human rights laws. To house those fleeing persecution and war zones in such conditions is cruel and inhumane. The Conservative government needs to urgently reconsider its course and find alternative solutions, starting with solving the asylum backlog which has ballooned under its leadership.
