Bosses at a Dorset port have said its support for controversial Government plans to accommodate hundreds of asylum seekers on a barge could help create jobs and boost the local economy.
Portland Port will 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.
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.
Despite the objections, senior leaders at the port, situated on the Isle of Portland, south of Weymouth, have insisted that the move is “the right thing to do”, and it was a case of “business as usual”.
Last week 5,000 passengers arrived at the commercial facility aboard the MSC Virtuosa cruise ship - the greatest number of guests the port has received on a single vessel. The ship docked at a new deep-water berth, developed as part of a £26m project to boost capacity and drive growth.
In a statement released on Wednesday (May 3), the chief executive of Portland Port, Bill Reeves, said the arrival of the asylum seeker facility would help to “drive continued growth, secure more long-term jobs and generate future investment with benefits for the local economy.”
“There may also be jobs created directly by the vessel operators as well as direct and indirect spend in the local supply chain,” Mr Reeves added.
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, has estimated that its cruise ship business contributes around £10m to the local economy every year.
Bosses reiterated they were not anticipating any disruption to the local tourism industry due to the arrival of the Bibby Stockholm, and said they were expecting a “record” year for cruise calls, with more 130,000 passengers due to arrive at the port in 2023.
Mr Reeves said: “There is a strong, vibrant and diverse tourist economy in the area which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area every year, among which the number of refugees will form a very small proportion. We have a strong vested interest in the safe operation of the facility for our business, local people and the refugees themselves.
“We believe that concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour have proven to be unfounded at accommodation sites elsewhere and there is no reason to expect any different here. There will be advice for the refugees about cultural sensitivities and behaviour. In addition, some of the refugees coming to the Portland safe haven will have already been in the country for some time staying at hotels so they will have an understanding of UK culture and expectations.”
In an update on preparations for the barge’s arrival, Portland Port said a group involving local agencies, police and emergency services had been formed, and that the Home Office was working with Dorset Police and the NHS on security and medical facilities at the site. The port added that communal recreational and exercise facilities would be provided for asylum seekers to take part in activities including English language classes.
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