The Government says it is “continuing discussions” following a report that two vessels set to house asylum seekers were unable to find a berth.
Sky News reported plans for one of the cruise ships to house asylum seekers near Liverpool were scrapped after being declined by the port operator while another vessel was refused docking near Edinburgh.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I’ve seen that reported. For our part, we are continuing discussions both in terms of those who can provide additional accommodation facilities and sites where it can be housed.
“That will continue. We want to open more, obviously Bibby Stockholm has arrived today and will be taking people on board this month.”
The Prime Minister has made dealing with the small boats crossing the channel a priority for his administration.
He said in June the government had acquired two vessels, as well as the Bibby Stockholm barge which arrived in Dorset on Tuesday, in an attempt to cut down on multi-million pound hotel bills for housing people crossing in small boats.
It is not clear how much the government paid for the boats before returning them to the owner.
A Home Office spokesperson said they could not comment on commercial arrangements, but said the government had been looking at a “range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels”.
Around 50 asylum seekers will board the Bibby Stockholm from next week.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Bibby Stockholm has now arrived at Portland Port where it will be moved around the port to position it for its final berth.
“From next week about 50 asylum seekers will be moved on to the vessel as part of a carefully structured plan to increase the number of individuals on board over the next few months.
“The Government is providing substantial funding to local services including the police and NHS to support them and minimise the impact on the community, and there will be 24/7 security on site.
“The site is designed to be self-sufficient in order to minimise the impact on the local community, with catering, recreational areas and basic health care provision on board.”
