First asylum seekers expected at floating hostel

The first 50 asylum seekers will be moved onto a controversial barge in Dorset later today.

The decision to moor the barge at Portland Port has led to protests across the areas.

The Bibby Stockholm will eventually be home to up to 500 men and is part of Home Office efforts to reduce the cost of housing asylum seekers.

The floating accommodation block arrived in Dorset three weeks ago but concerns have been raised regarding health and safety.

The government has said the vessel provides basic and functional accommodation and has been used to housed oil and gas workers.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the government still planned to increase capacity to 500 despite safety  concerns raised by the Fire Brigades Union and the local council.

More than 40 local groups and campaigners have called the plans “cruel and inhumane” in an open letter to barge owner Bibby Marine.