House of Commons · Urgent Question
29 October 2025 · 24 other contributors
Opened by Angus MacDonald LD Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Angus MacDonald raised concerns about asylum seekers mod housing 2025-10-29 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm plans for the temporary use of Ministry of Defence sites at Cameron barracks in Inverness and at Crowborough training camp in East Sussex to house asylum seekers. The MP raises concerns about the lack of engagement with local authorities and communities, especially given the proximity of the site to residential areas.
Question
Why was I not engaged in any discussion? Why were the Scottish Government not engaged in conversation, and why were Highland council and other authorities just informed, rather than engaged?
Minister reply
I am sorry that he heard in the way he did. The hon. Gentleman should not have heard in the way he did. I will continue to engage with him and his constituents to address their concerns.
Question
Did Home Office officials consider the fact that the site is in a city centre before they agreed to take it on? Why is it okay to close town centre migrant hotels in the south of England, yet plan to house 300 migrant men in Army quarters in Inverness city centre?
Minister reply
The location of the sites has been considered carefully. Both sites have been used recently for the Afghan resettlement scheme and there is a clear understanding across Government of their capabilities.
Question
Will the Minister meet me to discuss the Home Office halting its plan to utilise Cameron barracks to house migrants?
Minister reply
I am grateful for those questions. I will have that meeting with him.
Question
Since this Government entered office, the illegal immigration crisis has gotten seriously worse on every front. How much money is the proposal to utilise MOD barracks going to save us? Have the Government consulted families of armed forces personnel who live nearby?
Minister reply
We are looking at all sites in a way that considers local context and capabilities of the sites. We have had our best ever year for illegal work raids, with 1,000 people deported as a result.
Question
Will the Minister give us assurances that he will learn from the mistakes of the previous Government and work with local communities, local authorities and devolved Administrations to make sure that this works and solves the problems we have seen?
Minister reply
I have studied that report closely. We are taking more than a thousand lessons learned from the previous Government’s attempts to solve this issue in hand to ensure we do it right.
Question
Can the Minister tell us how discussions are going with Newcastle city council about alternative models for accommodation that better meet the needs of asylum seekers?
Minister reply
In the spirit of early engagement, there may well be better ways to build public confidence in what is being provided and that it is in the right locations with the right support. Those conversations with the city of Newcastle are ongoing, and we will be working hard to bring them to a satisfactory conclusion.
Question
What objections has the Green and Liberal Democrat-led Wealden council made to the proposals to use the Crowborough training camp for housing asylum seekers?
Minister reply
When he says, “No, it is not the right location”, he should be clear about what he is saying yes to. Is he saying yes to the continued use of hotels, or is he simply saying they should be somewhere else? I know those conversations will continue, and I encourage the local authorities to engage with local Members of Parliament.
Question
What are the Government doing to stop small boat arrivals in the first place?
Minister reply
Over the past year, we have made significant inroads in our efforts to disrupt organised crime and the people who use this model to prey on others. We have done 350 disruptions—an increase of 40% on what we inherited. These are embedded gangs who have had a six-year head start on this Government thanks to the Conservatives.
Question
Will the Minister explain how any new asylum accommodation will be provided in a cost-effective manner that does not allow private companies to make further obscene profits?
Minister reply
We have reduced that bill by £1 billion, including £500 million from hotels. We are looking further at the profit-sharing elements of those contracts, and are recouping money for the taxpayer by making sure we get the best deal possible.
Question
How will the Minister handle the situation locally when it comes to dealing with this proposal?
Minister reply
We have engaged with the local authorities, the health services, the police services and the fire services to ensure that the impact on the community is as light as possible. The experience from Napier barracks and from RAF Wethersfield is that if it is done thoughtfully it can be done well, and that is our commitment.
Question
Can the Minister assure constituents that overflow from these bases will not lead to an increased reliance on houses in multiple occupation?
Minister reply
The right hon. Lady has alighted on an important point. There is, of course, an option open to the Government: if we want to close the hotels, we can simply pull the lever of houses in multiple occupation and change the character of communities across the country, but we are clearly not doing that.
Question
Can the Minister tell constituents what more the Government are doing to close every single asylum hotel?
Minister reply
I can give that clear message to my hon. Friend’s constituents from the Dispatch Box. We will close every single asylum hotel, as we committed ourselves to doing at the time of the general election.
Question
What is the Minister doing to address issues with the Scottish Government and Highland council following the decision on asylum hotels?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the strain put on local services by sudden increases in asylum seekers. He emphasised ongoing conversations with health authorities, police, fire services, and local councils to ensure wraparound support is in place.
Question
Can the Minister elaborate on the criteria for deciding the sequence of asylum hotel closures?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that every single hotel will be closed, but he did not provide specific details about the sequence due to ongoing discussions.
Question
How is the Wealden district council leadership being involved in decisions regarding asylum hotels?
Minister reply
The Minister committed to working with the local authority to ensure that the public are given information and reassurance, emphasising that the impact on communities will be as light as possible.
Question
What measures is the Minister taking to address the immigration crisis at its core?
Minister reply
The Minister highlighted work with France and scaling up returns pilots as part of a global response to break organised crime networks.
Question
Will the Minister ensure future notice for MOD accommodation plans and avoid discourteous engagement with colleagues?
Minister reply
The Minister assured that accommodation will be basic but functional, humane, and at the more austere end of the spectrum. He also acknowledged a need to do better in engaging directly with colleagues.
Question
Will the Minister adopt a proposal from the Refugee Council that would allow closing asylum hotels within a year without resorting to barracks?
Minister reply
The Minister could not support letting significant numbers through the system without processing claims in the normal way, citing concerns about turbocharging pull factors.
Question
Can the Minister confirm details regarding Hadush Kebatu's deportation and address the issue of enforced returns?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that returns are up by more than 10% under this Government, mentioning specific details about Hadush Kebatu's deportation and an operational decision to provide a £500 payment.
Question
Does the Minister agree that continued use of public money for asylum hotels poses risks?
Minister reply
The Minister recognised the challenges but did not provide a direct response to the question, likely due to ongoing assessments and commitments.
Question
The UK is spending a fifth of its official development assistance budget on hotel bills. Some of that money was previously used to prevent conflict and help refugees find refuge in their own regions. The move to use decommissioned barracks will cost taxpayers less than hotels currently do.
Minister reply
The reality is that the unit cost per night is broadly similar, but we need to reduce the number of people in this accommodation. This is how we get value for the taxpayer and avoid needing such accommodations altogether.
Question
While it was good to hear that there is a plan to house asylum seekers more cost-effectively, what steps have been taken to ensure that law and order is upheld in any designated large areas?
Minister reply
I acknowledge the hon. Gentleman’s work regarding Christians persecuted abroad. The rule of law has primacy in this country; it is absolute for all who come here.
Question
On a point of order, could you confirm that no Member of Reform has been in the Chamber or made any contribution whatsoever during this debate?
Minister reply
This is not a matter for the minister to address. It was directed as a point of order to Madam Deputy Speaker.
Government Response
I can confirm to the House that plans are under way for the temporary use of Ministry of Defence sites at Cameron barracks in Inverness and at Crowborough training camp in East Sussex for the purpose of asylum accommodation. Under the plans, a total of around 900 people will be housed across both sites. The location of each site has been considered carefully to minimise impact on local communities. We are actively engaging with local authorities and service providers to address concerns.