PCS welcomes Bibby Stockholm announcement

The barge currently moored in Dorset, was set up by the last Conservative government as one of its attempts to cut hotel bills for people who had come to the UK via small boat crossings and were awaiting for their cases to be heard. But the Home Office has now confirmed it will end the contract from next year.

Fran said: “We welcome this announcement by the government because the Bibby Stockholm is no place to house human beings.

“We hope this will signal the end of an inhumane system that has been used to score political points, punishing asylum-seekers rather than helping them.

“We call on the government now to adopt our Safe Passage policy that would create a safe and legal route for refugees to come to the UK and here begin their asylum claim.

“We also call on the government to give our members in the Home Office the resources needed to effectively handle claims. They want to work in a system that is humane and fair, and that offers dignity and respect for refugees and workers alike.”