Britain's Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to unveil a plan to relocate asylum seekers currently housed in hotels, military barracks and former military bases, in another step by the government to tighten immigration policies.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the decision comes after widespread protests over the summer over hotel accommodation conditions. Mahmood, who took over as Home Secretary after Starmer sacked Yvette Cooper, will announce the use of Ministry of Defence facilities to house asylum seekers.
Last Saturday alone, around 1,000 people arrived in the UK using small boats, while French authorities reported rescuing 24 people while attempting to cross the English Channel.
National Crime Agency (NCA) data shows that record levels of criminal networks dealing with illegal immigration were disrupted during 2024-2025.
Officials believe this has helped reduce the number of ships crossing the Channel in August, marking the lowest number since 2019.
However, although the 3,567 arrivals in August are fewer than in recent years, the total for the whole of 2025, of 29,003 people, is the highest number recorded for this period.
