First Asylum Seekers Arrive at East Sussex Barracks

The first group of asylum seekers arrived at a former military barracks in East Sussex early Thursday morning, marking the start of the government's plan to house migrants at large sites and phase out the use of hotels.

Twenty-seven adult males were transported to Crowborough Training Camp under cover of darkness in minibuses, some accompanied by a police escort. The Home Office confirmed the arrivals and stated that the site, previously used to accommodate Afghan families evacuated from Kabul in 2021, will eventually house up to 540 people. Asylum seekers will stay for up to three months while their claims are processed. The site features 24-hour security, CCTV surveillance, and strict sign-in procedures for residents, who undergo health and police checks before arrival.

The move aligns with the government's broader strategy to address the costs and community impacts of hotel accommodations. Officials noted that more than 400 hotels were in use under the previous administration, at a daily expense of 9 million pounds. Current figures show fewer than 200 hotels remain operational, with the number of asylum seekers housed in them at 36,273 as of late September, up slightly from...