Migrants are taken in to Dover, Kent, on a Border Force vessel after being rescued from a small boat on the English Channel in February. PA
Migrants are taken in to Dover, Kent, on a Border Force vessel after being rescued from a small boat on the English Channel in February. PA
Migrants are taken in to Dover, Kent, on a Border Force vessel after being rescued from a small boat on the English Channel in February. PA
Migrants are taken in to Dover, Kent, on a Border Force vessel after being rescued from a small boat on the English Channel in February. PA

World

UK

Three-storey barge to house asylum seekers expected to be unveiled by UK government

The 93-metre vessel in Dorset can house up to 506 people

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

April 03, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

The Home Office is expected to announce details this week of the first barge to be used to house asylum seekers, under widely criticised plans aimed at reducing the reliance on hotels.

The government is set to reveal a leasing agreement to use the Bibby Stockholm “floatel” in Portland, Dorset, in what could start a new Tory dispute.

Use of boats is “totally and utterly out of the question”, and will exacerbate problems “tenfold”, said Conservative MP Richard Drax, who represents the area.

Details of any agreement with Bibby Marine in Liverpool and the costs were unclear, but the 93-metre vessel can house up to 506 people.

The three-storey barge has been refurbished since it was criticised as an “oppressive environment” when the Dutch government used it to house asylum seekers.

“The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options that offer better value for money for taxpayers than hotels," a Home Office spokeswoman said.

Plans to use two former military bases and a former prison were met with anger by local Conservatives when they were unveiled last week.

UK government unveils 'robust' bill to stop migrant Channel crossings - in pictures

The UK's Home Secretary Suella Braverman has unveiled new legislation to address small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel. AFP
The UK's Home Secretary Suella Braverman has unveiled new legislation to address small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel. AFP
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled the plans for new laws to curb crossings. PA
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled the plans for new laws to curb crossings. PA
Migrants housed at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent. Almost 3,000 migrants have made unauthorised crossings of the English Channel this year. PA
Migrants housed at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent. Almost 3,000 migrants have made unauthorised crossings of the English Channel this year. PA
Ms Braverman said not responding to the problem would be to 'betray the will of the people we were elected to serve'. AFP
Ms Braverman said not responding to the problem would be to 'betray the will of the people we were elected to serve'. AFP
Mr Sunak met teams at the Home Office Joint Control Room in Dover, Kent. Getty Images
Mr Sunak met teams at the Home Office Joint Control Room in Dover, Kent. Getty Images
Critics have warned that the proposals are 'unworkable' and will leave thousands of migrants in limbo by banning them from claiming British citizenship. PA
Critics have warned that the proposals are 'unworkable' and will leave thousands of migrants in limbo by banning them from claiming British citizenship. PA
Inflatable dinghies and outboard engines, stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover. AFP
Inflatable dinghies and outboard engines, stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover. AFP
People gather in central Dover to attend a 'Refugees Welcome' rally. AFP
People gather in central Dover to attend a 'Refugees Welcome' rally. AFP
Ms Braverman said the UK's asylum system has been 'overwhelmed', with almost £7 million ($8.4 million) a day being spent on hotels to house people while their claims are processed. PA
Ms Braverman said the UK's asylum system has been 'overwhelmed', with almost £7 million ($8.4 million) a day being spent on hotels to house people while their claims are processed. PA

A Conservative-run local authority launched legal action against the Home Office over the proposal to use RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire for up to 2,000 asylum seekers.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick announced the sites under plans to offer asylum seekers accommodation to cater to their “essential living needs and nothing more”.

The Home Office says new types of accommodation must be used to reduce a £6 million ($7.4m) daily bill for hotels.

South Dorset MP Mr Drax is yet to comment on the use of Portland to dock the barge, but he was among Conservatives who have criticised Mr Jenrick’s plans.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council charity, has described military bases and boats as “wholly inadequate places” to house people who have fled war and persecution.

On Women's Day
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:

Manchester City 3

Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'

Bournemouth 1

Wilson 44'

Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

ACL Elite (West) - fixtures

Monday, Sept 30

Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)

Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
War 2

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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

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On Women's Day
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

Checks continue

A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.

Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.

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Scoreline

Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)

New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: April 06, 2023, 5:52 AM`
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