Controversial Living Conditions on UK Migrant Barge Raise Concerns of Infection Spread, According to Experts
CNN – The transfer of asylum-seekers onto a barge in southern England has sparked controversy and raised concerns over potential infection risks due to cramped and inhumane living conditions. The boat, named Bibby Stockholm, is docked in Portland on the Dorset coast and has received its first group of migrants, with more expected to embark later.
The UK government’s plans to house approximately 500 single adult men on the vessel have faced backlash from campaigners and public health experts alike. The Home Office’s hostile policies towards refugees, particularly in light of the European migrant crisis, have heightened the political tensions surrounding the issue.
The UK’s Fire Brigades Union (FBU) labeled the barge a “death trap,” prompting medical practitioners and health officials to highlight safety concerns. Prof. Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, emphasized the increased risk of respiratory infections spreading in confined spaces with poor ventilation. She stated that the agency would assess infection prevention control once the migrants are on board.
Campaigners and legal representatives have intervened to prevent transfers, with the refugee charity Care4Calais reporting that 20 transfers were canceled on Monday. The cramped living conditions and potential safety hazards of the barge have been a cause for worry, as it was retrofitted for 222 people, not the 500 people the government aims to accommodate, according to the FBU.
The use of the Bibby Stockholm is part of the Conservative government’s cost-cutting measures to house migrants and alleviate the backlog of asylum claims. The UK government currently spends £6 million (nearly $7.6 million) per day on accommodating migrants in hotels, highlighting the need for alternative solutions.
The surge in small boat crossings between Britain and France this year has added pressure to an immigration system that many believe is broken and underfunded. Despite a 10% decrease in crossings compared to the same period in 2022, a significant number of journeys typically occur in the second half of the year.
In addition to the controversial use of the barge, the UK government recently passed the Illegal Migration Bill, granting it powers to detain and remove undocumented migrants from the country. The UN’s refugee agency has condemned the legislation, stating that it breaches the UK’s obligations under international law.
The CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, Steve Smith, expressed deep concerns about the decision to house refugees on the Bibby Stockholm, particularly due to the vulnerable backgrounds and experiences of many asylum-seekers. Smith criticized the government for its lack of planning and the fire safety concerns arising from overcrowding the boat built for a significantly smaller capacity.
The controversy surrounding the living conditions on the migrant barge highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the UK government in managing the influx of asylum-seekers and addressing the concerns of both critics and supporters of its migration policies.