Update March 2024 - Home Office announces cap on service users at RAF Scampton
The Home Office has confirmed it is looking to reduce, by more than half, the number of asylum seekers it intends to accommodate on the former RAF Scampton site.
Initial figures cited said the site would be used to accommodate up to 2,000 single adult males. On Monday 18 March the Home Office, said a ministerial decision has been made to not exceed 800 service users on site.
However, the message was caveated that an extra 300 spaces may be utilised for short periods of time, if the Government have to accommodate ‘higher than unexpected forecast levels of intake’.
Further Information
The Home Office is working on proposals which will see the current site at RAF Scampton used for accommodation for asylum seekers. The Home Office plan to use a phased approach to moving people on site starting with about 200 people and increasing to 2,000 people over time.
West Lindsey District Council is challenging this decision and has been given the go ahead to progress with a full Judicial Review of the decision by the Home Office to use RAF Scampton. (Date to be confirmed.)
However, despite the impending legal process, the Home Office is continuing to press ahead with its plans. Local authorities and partners are being treated as stakeholders in these plans and therefore have opportunities to raise questions and concerns on the proposals.
These are fed back in a structured way as outlined below:
- A Multi-Agency Forum was set up in March for local stakeholders including community groups and the East Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership to meet weekly with the Home Office as stakeholders. This is to ensure that the Home Office proposals are safe, legal and compliant.
- Fortnightly thematic subgroup meetings are also held with the Home Office with stakeholders to discuss certain key issues in more detail.
This is a Home Office Proposal and therefore they are responsible for communicating their plans and dealing with the necessary queries. They regularly update the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Home Office website. The fact sheet on the proposed accommodation sites can be found here: Asylum accommodation factsheets.
Statement from a Home Office spokesperson:
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.
Contact
If anyone has any queries please email the Home Office at: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk