Bibby Stockholm migrant barge ‘to cost more per head than hotels’ despite Home Office pledge to cut bill
The number of asylum seekers that can be housed on the Bibby Stockholm has been reduced to 425, according to a fire safety assessment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge will cost more than putting them up in hotels, according to new estimates – despite a government pledge that it would be cheaper.
Around 70 asylum seekers are now living on the barge at Portland port, Dorset, after it was finally given the all clear two months after 39 migrants were moved off the vessel following the discovery of legionella bacteria in the water supply.
The barge was initially supposed to house about 500 people but the Home Office has now reduced this to a maximum of 425, according to fire prevention measures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Nicola David from the NGO One Life to Live has estimated the cost of housing 425 asylum seekers on the barge by looking at publicly available financial information. According to her calculations, a room on the barge would cost an average of £163.63 per room per day. This compared to an average of £157 per room per day in a hotel.
The figures have been recently updated to take into account changes in the costing of the berthing fee.
With only 70 asylum seekers currently on the Bibby Stockholm, the barge is around £836.45 more expensive per night than a hotel, her costings suggest.
Downing Street has repeatedly defended the use of the barge, which has been dubbed a “quasi-floating prison” with “inhumane” living conditions by the refugee charity Care4Calais, claiming is a cheaper alternative to hotels.
The Independent revealed in June that an Australian travel firm had been quietly handed a £1.6bn contract covering the barge and other asylum accommodation. Corporate Travel Management (CTM) was put in charge of the two-year deal in February and was awared the contract without competition.
The contract was published under the title “provision of bridging accommodation and travel services” and was for an estimated value of £1,593,535,200 over two years.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has pledged to end the use of 50 asylum hotels by the end of January. The government estimated about £8m is being spent each day on hotels for asylum seekers.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Bibby Stockholm is part of the government’s pledge to reduce the use of expensive hotels and bring forward alternative accommodation options which provide a more cost effective, sustainable and manageable system for the UK taxpayer and local communities.
"The capacity of the Bibby Stockholm remains around 500. The number of people onboard the vessel at any one time is likely to vary due to a number of factors, including individuals exiting the asylum system once a decision has been made."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments