UK to announce plans to house migrants into military bases in coming weeks

The British government is reportedly expected to announce its plan to house migrants seeking asylum in the United Kingdom in military bases in the coming weeks. The plan follows the introduction of legislation that sought to bar migrants from claiming asylum if they entered the country on small boats.

A report by Sky News on Saturday said that the British government is planning to move migrants into military bases or disused ferries, with the formal announcement expected to be in the coming weeks. The report added that previous suggestions that included housing migrants in holiday camps and student halls were unlikely going to be implemented. The plans come as the government has signaled that it wants to end housing migrants claiming asylum in hotels.

“We have always been upfront about the unprecedented pressure being placed on our asylum system, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country,” said a spokesperson for the British interior ministry. “We continue to work across government and with local authorities to identify a range of accommodation options.”

The plans follow the introduction earlier this month by the British government of legislation that would bar migrants traveling to the country on small boats from claiming asylum in the UK. However, charities have said that the proposal could be impractical and criminalize genuine cases.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sought to address migrant crossings as one of his five key priorities following the record numbers of arrivals in 2022, which was an increase of 500 percent in the last two years.

On Monday, Sunak is set to unveil measures that would combat anti-social behavior. The measures include policing in several areas of England and Wales in an effort to win over support leading up to the elections next year. Sunak is expected to say that the new measures would highlight his zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behavior that would see those who engage in such actions receive penalties.

“Anti-social behavior undermines the basic right of people to feel safe in the place they call home,” said Sunak in a statement. “The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished.”