Labour Government Halts Use of Controversial Migrant Housing Barge

Britain's new Labour government plans to end the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge for housing migrants, a policy initiated by the previous Conservative government. This move aims to overhaul the asylum system, cut costs, and ensure the system operates efficiently and humanely.

Britain's new Labour government is set to discontinue the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house migrants off the southern coast of England, the government announced on Tuesday. This decision is part of a broader effort to reform the asylum system.

The barge, which has a capacity of up to 500 men, was initially deployed by the Conservative government to reduce the daily £8 million cost of hotel accommodations for asylum seekers. Docked off the coast of Dorset, the Bibby Stockholm has been a contentious symbol of the Conservative's stringent asylum policies, drawing comparisons to a prison ship from human rights advocates.

Tragically, one migrant died on board last year, and a water contamination issue subsequently forced the removal of other migrants for weeks. The Home Office confirmed that the barge's use would cease when its contract expires in January.

Labour aims to revamp the asylum process by addressing the backlog of claims that have left tens of thousands of migrants in uncertainty and at risk of deportation. Additionally, the new government has scrapped the Conservative scheme to deport migrants arriving illegally by small boats to Rwanda.

Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, emphasized the need to restore order to the asylum system so it operates swiftly and fairly. The Home Office noted that extending the barge's contract would have cost over £20 million next year.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the proposed changes would save taxpayers an estimated £7 billion over the next decade. Current exchange rates value £1 at approximately $0.7744.

(With inputs from agencies.)