The corporate media is reporting that delays in moving asylum seekers onto the Bibby Stockholm barge are now due to checks on working practices, according to sources from the Home Office. Initially, the setbacks were caused by fire safety issues, including a door that had been incorrectly installed, but these problems have since been resolved. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is now examining the working practices of port authority workers, leading to further delays.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has expressed concerns about the vessel’s safety, calling it a “death trap.” However, Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps has dismissed these claims, stating that there is no reason why the barge wouldn’t be safe. The government has accused the FBU of opposing the barge for political reasons.
The Bibby Stockholm, currently docked in Portland, Dorset, was scheduled to start accepting arrivals last week, but additional work was required, pushing the date further. The plan to move people onto the vessel on Tuesday was also postponed due to last-minute meetings to address fire safety concerns.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denied that the process of getting the barge up and running was a “shambles.” He emphasised that this initiative aimed to solve a serious problem and would ease pressure in local communities and save money once operational.
The barge will eventually accommodate up to 500 male asylum seekers, currently housed in hotels, as part of the government’s cost-cutting measures during the claims processing period. Initially, the plan is to start with 50 people once the vessel is ready.
The FBU is concerned about overcrowding and access to fire exits on the barge and plans to write to the Home Office about these issues. Ben Selby, the assistant general secretary of the FBU, expressed worry about the narrow corridors and doorways accommodating a large number of people, fearing it could lead to a disaster similar to Grenfell Tower.
Local Tory MPs, including Chris Loder, have also criticised the barge, demanding safety reports and raising concerns about the vessel housing double the number of people it was designed for.
In response to the situation, a Home Office spokesperson stated that the Bibby Stockholm is undergoing final preparations to meet all necessary regulations before the arrival of asylum seekers. The government says it’s aim is to reduce the use of expensive hotels for housing illegal migrants and provide more manageable and cost-effective alternative accommodation. They also state they are working closely with local councils, NHS, and police services to address concerns from the community in Portland and provide adequate funding for local services. However, we now know that ‘working closely’ for the many community organisations means something very different. Dictatorship!!
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