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Home Office plan to use more military bases to house asylum seekers
The plans would move 3,750 people into ex-MoD sites as the government closes 20 more asylum hotels, officials said.
- On Thursday, the Home Office submitted planning applications to convert three former Ministry of Defence sites—Bicester, Barnham, and Linton-on-Ouse—to house up to 3,750 asylum seekers, shifting away from hotel accommodation.
- The initiative follows a 35 per cent year-on-year reduction in asylum seekers housed in hotels, with 20,885 remaining as of March; ministers argue military sites are necessary to end dependence on costly hotel accommodation.
- Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller criticized the Home Office for announcing plans 'in total secrecy,' while Cherwell District Council leader Cllr Lesley McLean raised 'serious concerns' about infrastructure and support ahead of a potential end-of-2026 opening.
- Refugee Council director of external affairs Imran Hussain warned the move risks causing 'profound and long-lasting harm' to asylum seekers' mental health, arguing ministers were 'repeating policies that failed in the recent past.'
- The proposals arrive ahead of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, set for Parliament next week, which aims to increase forced removal of people refused asylum as part of the government's broader asylum overhaul.
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31 Articles
Evening Standard+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Ministers braced for opposition over using barracks to house asylum seekers
Justice minister Jake Richards said the action was necessary to end the use of hotels.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources31
Leaning Left4Leaning Right4Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 18%
C 64%
R 18%
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