Up to 50 people could be moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge, docked in Portland Port, Dorset, as early as today. Ministers say this is a more cost-effective way of housing migrants, while refugee campaigners have condemned the policy as “cruel and inhumane”.
What is clear is that this will do little to clear the asylum backlog, which currently sits at roughly 170,000 people, nearly 130,000 of whom have been waiting longer than six months. Nor is it likely to act as a deterrent for the desperate people risking their lives in small boats.
It is undoubtedly true that the issue of immigration, in particular of the illegal type, is of great concern to a certain section of the electorate. The Government, particularly one that has placed great importance on the concept of “taking back control”, is understandably keen to take action.
But instead of gimmicks, such as processing migrants on Ascension Island, a policy disregarded as impractical by a previous home secretary, the Government should focus on what works and what our economy actually needs. That means clearing the backlog and ensuring key roles are filled in sectors where there are still severe shortages.
Vital vaccine research
Covid-19 was the first global pandemic of the 21st century, but it is unlikely to be the last. Climate change and people living closer to animals have increased the risk — and speed — of new viruses spreading across the world.
That is why the vaccine research at Porton Down, near Salisbury, is so vital. The aim is to enhance our preparedness against yet-to-be-identified pathogens with the potential to drive a pandemic and evaluate the effectiveness of existing vaccines.
Britain’s preparedness for a pandemic has come under a harsh spotlight during the Covid-19 Inquiry. We must be ready for the next one, and that means building up our defences now, to stop a virus before it can spread around the world.
Tech bros trade blows
To Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua and Mike Tyson v George Foreman, we can add another to the list of the biggest fights never to take place: Mark Zuckerberg v Elon Musk.
The Meta boss has said he was “not holding my breath” over the proposed fight with his tech billionaire rival, who revealed he may require back surgery. But Zuckerberg managed to get one joust in, suggesting any fight was unlikely to be live-streamed on Twitter, citing the need for a “more reliable platform”.
