The British government says it has leased a refurbished barge to house 500 migrants on its southern coast, as it faces criticism over its plans to bar asylum seekers arriving in small boats from across the English Channel.
The government says the decision to use the vessel is a part of efforts to reduce the use of costly hotels as temporary accommodation while asylum claims are being processed.
The 93-metre long barge, the Bibby Stockholm, will be berthed in Portland Port in Dorset and will accommodate 500 men, Britain’s Interior Ministry said.
Migrants will be moved aboard “in the coming months” and it
