Asylum seekers to be housed at Essex RAF base from Wednesday
Asylum seekers will begin to be housed at a former RAF base in Essex from Wednesday morning, Sky News understands.
Ministers unveiled plans back in March to use Wethersfield Airfield to accommodate up to 1,700 male asylum seekers for up to 180 days each in an attempt to reduce the amount the government spends on hotels.
The scheme led to a backlash from the local authority and some residents, with Braintree Council launching a legal challenge against the move.
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But attempts to block the plans failed, and Sky News now understands the first arrivals will be on site tomorrow morning.
The news also comes after Sky News revealed that some Army families had been given just a week’s notice to move off the site, saying they had been “railroaded” into vacating the base.
A statement from the council on Monday said they had “yet to receive confirmation on an exact date from the Home Office” on when asylum seekers would arrive, and were still seeking to take further legal action – with a decision expected this week.
They added: “We still feel there are many that still need addressing and clarifying, in particular in relation to community engagement and funding.
“We are still very much of the view that the airbase is not a suitable site.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of hotels.
“These accommodation sites will house asylum seekers in basic, safe and secure accommodation as they await a decision on their claim.
“We understand the concerns of local communities and will work closely with councils and key partners to manage the impact of using these sites, including liaising with local police to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place.”
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June was the highest monthly figure on record for small boat crossings – with 3,824 people arriving.
The government has been trying to come up with alternative accommodation for asylum seekers after it said the number of people making small boat Channel crossings had led to a hotel bill of £6m to house those waiting for their claims to be processed.
As well as former military bases, there are plans to house people on barges as well as reports that large marquees could be used.
Ministers are also pushing forward with their Illegal Migration Bill – which passed its latest stage in the Commons on Tuesday after almost four hours of voting – that would see those arriving by small boats “swiftly detained and removed” to their country of origin or a third country – like Rwanda.
However, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted his plan is “working”, more than 1,000 people made the dangerous journey over the weekend.
Figures released by the Home Office showed 686 migrants were found crossing the Channel on 13 boats on Friday – the highest number in a single day so far this year – and 384 migrants made the crossing on Saturday.
A further 269 people were detected on Sunday, taking the total number of people crossing so far this year to more than 12,000.
Despite the figures, the PM told reporters on Tuesday: “When people know if they come they won’t be able to stay… they stop coming in the same volumes. That gives me confidence that our overall strategy is the right one.”
Assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes at its second reading in the House of Commons – a majority of 55.
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The bill would allow adults who are terminally ill with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Today’s result means the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for scrutiny, with the Lords also to be given opportunities to express their views on the measure before it potentially becomes law.
MPs were given a free vote – meaning they could side with their conscience and not along party lines, with the government staying neutral on the matter.
The division list showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the proposal, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
But other cabinet members like Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against the bill, having previously warned about vulnerable people being coerced and of a “slippery slope of death on demand”.
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MPs debate assisted dying
The vote came after a five-hour debate in the chamber, which drew emotional arguments on both sides.
Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell revealed he changed his mind on assisted dying after finding himself with “tears pouring down my face” on hearing the stories of constituents whose loved ones had died “in great pain and great indignity”.
On the other side of the argument, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said assisted dying could result in sick people “feeling like a burden” on society, adding: ” I can imagine myself saying that in particular circumstances.”
She warned: “If this bill passes, we will have the NHS as a fully-funded 100% suicide service but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best.”
Bill about ‘choice and dignity’
Opening the debate on the topic, Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater said the bill was about giving dying people “choice, autonomy, and dignity” – saying the current law was “failing” them.
Kim Leadbeater: PA
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She has insisted her bill contains “the most robust safeguards” of any assisted dying legislation in the word.
This includes two independent doctors having to approve the decision, followed by a high-court judge, with the person having to administer the drugs themselves.
The legislation also includes a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying or taking the medicine.
Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby after the vote, an emotional Ms Leadbeater said she was “incredibly proud” of the result and parliament must now “take on board everything that’s been discussed in the chamber”, including the state of palliative care and the rights of disabled people.
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