On a barge off the south coast of england have now begun arriving on board. The governments use of the barge called the Bibby Stockholm Has been controversial. Officials say it will be used to house up to 500 men while they await the outcome of their asylum applications. Campaigners have expressed concern about the conditions on board, but the government insists the vessel is safe and that it will help reduce the cost of placing migrants in hotels. Protestors have gathered close to the barge in dorset. Heres what some of them had to say a little earlier. Iam against i am against the barge, i think it is extremely dangerous. As has been proved by the fire brigade. I do not think they should be on the barge, it is like a prison. I think a lot of them will have come from prisons, it is appalling. Portland has not got the infrastructure, i can see that Point Of View but we have to welcome them, they are here now. Our correspondent ellie price is in dorset for us now. The first of the Asylu
Welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast moving news, interviews and reaction. We start with a Major Political political row here in the uk. The first Asylum Seekers to be housed on a barge off the south coast of england have now begun arriving on board. The governments use of the barge called the Bibby Stockholm Has been controversial. Officials say it will be used to house up to 500 men while they await the outcome of their asylum applications. Campaigners have expressed concern about the conditions on board, but the government insists the vessel is safe and that it will help reduce the cost of placing migrants in hotels. Our correspondent ellie price is in dorset for us. She gave us this update a little earlier. We also understand there are already a number of migrants on board. I cant tell you exactly how many, im afraid. Probably understandably the home office being a bit cagey about numbers. They dont want to be seen to be putting numbers on it, because i think that would imp
on a barge off the south coast of england have now begun arriving on board. the government s use of the barge called the bibby stockholm has been controversial. officials say it will be used to house up to 500 men while they await the outcome of their asylum applications. campaigners have expressed concern about the conditions on board, but the government insists the vessel is safe and that it will help reduce the cost of placing migrants in hotels. protestors have gathered close to the barge in dorset. here s what some of them had to say a little earlier. iam against i am against the barge, i think it is extremely dangerous. as has been proved by the fire brigade. i do not think they should be on the barge, it is like a prison. i think a lot of them will have come from prisons,
welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast moving news, interviews and reaction. we start with a major political political row here in the uk. the first asylum seekers to be housed on a barge off the south coast of england have now begun arriving on board. the government s use of the barge called the bibby stockholm has been controversial. officials say it will be used to house up to 500 men while they await the outcome of their asylum applications. campaigners have expressed concern about the conditions on board, but the government insists the vessel is safe and that it will help reduce the cost of placing migrants in hotels. our correspondent ellie price is in dorset for us. she gave us this update a little earlier. we also understand there are already a number of migrants on board. i can t tell you exactly how many, i m afraid. probably understandably the home office being a bit cagey about numbers. they don t want to be seen to be putting numbers on it, because i think that w