Bosses at a Dorset port have insisted it is “business as usual” after agreeing to support controversial Government plans to accommodate hundreds of asylum seekers on a barge.
Portland Port announced last week it would provide berthing space for the vessel, named the Bibby Stockholm, for at least 18 months. The Home Office has confirmed it is looking to house 500 single men on the three-storey, 222-room boat, while their asylum claims are processed. The Government has said the measure is part of its efforts to cut the cost to the taxpayer caused by people attempting to arrive in the UK by crossing the Channel.
It has been estimated that hotel accommodation for asylum seekers currently costs around £6m a day. The plans have drawn criticism from local people, human rights groups, the Tory-led Dorset Council and local Conservative MPs, who have questioned the suitability of the site for housing asylum seekers. South Dorset MP Richard Drax has called on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to scrap the idea.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 12, the chief executive of Portland Port Bill Reeves said: “Preparations for the arrival of the accommodation barge for refugees are continuing. We have listened to concerns and are keen to ensure that the community is kept updated while we work with the Home Office and local agencies to minimise the impact and maximise the benefits of the barge for the area and local economy. We are keen to ensure that only those people considered suitable after passing strict checks are able to reside on the accommodation facility at Portland.”
The port added there would be investment to support the barge, in order for the “essential needs” of its occupants to be met and for it to become “as self-sufficient as possible”. It added that it was aiming for “close cooperation” with local health, welfare and emergency services and voluntary groups.
According to a report in The Times, the Bibby Stockholm could cost £15,000 a day to charter, with the cost of berthing it in Portland upwards of £4,500 a day, and additional expenditure required on services including security and catering. Portland Port has said the barge would provide “basic and functional accommodation” and “24/7” security would be in place on board.
Situated on the Isle of Portland, south of Weymouth, Portland Port employs more than 50 people and has a number of tenants, including cargo businesses, which provide jobs for more than 250 people. The port, which has been a commercial operation for almost 30 years, estimated that its cruise ship business contributed around £10m to the local economy every year.
Despite the controversy since the asylum seeker barge plans were announced, Mr Reeves said the port was continuing to function “as usual” and was looking to further expand its operations, including its cruise programme. Portland Port recently secured an eight-figure funding deal to help rebuild one of its six deep-water berths and allow it to receive 350m ocean liners.
Mr Reeves said: “The next cruise calls are due later this month and will operate as normal throughout the season. Cruise lines are used to operating in ports where a variety of other activities are also taking place, whether that is cargo operations, ship yards or accommodation barges.
“The reason they visit Portland is for their guests to experience the numerous attractions in the local area, further afield in Dorset and beyond. The port remains open for business, our customers remain busy and we are looking to bring our new berth development into operation in the next few weeks.”
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