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Portland Port: factsheet

Updated 29 December 2023

Why is the government using vessels to accommodate asylum seekers?

The pressure on the asylum system from small boat arrivals has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which are more appropriate and offer better value for the taxpayer than expensive hotels.

The increase in crossings means around 51,000 otherwise destitute migrants are currently being accommodated in hotels - costing the taxpayer in excess of £8 million per day. This figure includes individuals in initial accommodation as well as hotels.

This is why we will be using alternative accommodation options, such as barges, which are cheaper and more manageable for communities, as our European neighbours are also doing.

Are vessels suitable to house people in this way?

Under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the Home Office has a legal obligation to support asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.

In recent years, vessels have been used safely and successfully by the Scottish and Dutch Governments as accommodation. Corporate Travel Management (CTM), who managed two Scottish vessels, will also be managing this vessel – bringing lots of practical experience.

Facilities onboard the vessel will be designed to provide for the essential needs of those accommodated in order to minimise the impact on local communities and local services. This includes the provision of primary healthcare, catering facilities and 24/7 security.

The Bibby Stockholm has safely and comfortably housed workers from various industries, including shipyard workers, construction workers and offshore construction workers over the years.

Why Portland Port?

Portland has been identified as a suitable place in which to berth an accommodation barge.

The site at Portland is designed to be as self-sufficient as possible in order to minimise the impact on local communities and services.

When will the barge be in place? And for how long?

The Bibby Stockholm has completed a statutory inspection and refurbishment and is now berthing in Portland.

The Bibby Stockholm has been subject to certification and regulatory inspection by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency in order to fulfil its permitted purpose. Lloyd’s Register provides classification of the hull.

It will be in place initially for 18 months but kept under review.

How many people can be accommodated on the vessel in Portland?

The vessel can accommodate about 500 people.

Who will be accommodated at Portland?

The Bibby Stockholm provides non-detained accommodation for single adult male asylum seekers aged 18 to 65 who would otherwise be destitute.

The cohort of single adult males has been agreed with local authorities and health partners to mitigate the burden on local public services, for example local schools and health services.

Every individual on the vessel will have been screened against policing and immigration databases. They will have had their fingerprints and identities recorded prior to going aboard. They would have also been assessed against an agreed suitability criteria. Guidance on the suitability criteria used can be found here: Allocation of accommodation.

Will those accommodated on the vessel speak English and how will interpreting needs be covered?

Those being accommodated will have varying levels of English. The service provider is experienced in managing these cohorts and has the appropriate language skills to communicate effectively. The Home Office is providing funding to Dorset Council, who are working with the local voluntary sector and language skills providers to support those on board.

Which countries will the asylum seekers be arriving from?

Those being accommodated will be from various countries.

How long will asylum seekers be accommodated at Portland?

We are assessing how long asylum seekers will be accommodated. The maximum expected length of stay on the vessel is likely to be up to 9 months. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The accommodation barge and berth have been contracted for 18 months.

Will they all be arriving at the same time?

No. Numbers will increase in a phased approach as part of a carefully structured plan. We are conscious of the need to manage arrivals in a way that local services can support.

Are people able to come and go as they please?

Those accommodated on the vessel are non-detained. However, movement in and around the Port will need to adhere to the health and safety requirements of the Port itself. Through our service supplier, the Home Office provides a bus service to take asylum seekers from the port to destinations agreed with local agencies.

Those on the vessel are not detained, so there is no curfew. However, if an asylum seeker is late returning to the vessel, the team will make a call to ascertain their whereabouts. A register is kept so we know who is on and off the vessel.

Is the vessel safe?

The welfare of those in our care is of the utmost priority. The vessel completed a statutory inspection and refurbishment before undergoing final preparations to accommodate asylum seekers. All health and safety actions required to re-embark have been addressed and relevant authorities, the Home Office and its suppliers are satisfied the vessel is safe.

In response to results from water sampling for legionella, the Home Office’s supplier has completed an agreed programme of work to protect the health of occupants. This included a complete flush and chlorination of the water supply system. Subsequent legionella sampling has shown levels to be within satisfactory tolerances. The risk assessment and Water Control Plan for ongoing legionella control has been reviewed by the Home Office’s supplier and seen by the Council’s Environmental Health team. The Health and Safety Executive has provided specialist advice. The legionella test results are published on Dorset Council’s website following Freedom of Information requests.

The vessel is subject to the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005. We have been in liaison with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service (DWFRS) to ensure that the safety of the vessel and its occupants are being appropriately managed in line with relevant legislation.

Work has taken place to further enhance fire safety measures on board the Bibby Stockholm in line with guidance from DWFRS. A fire audit and follow up visit have been undertaken, with DWFRS satisfied that areas noted have all been addressed. A letter outlining the expectations for the ongoing management of the fire safety arrangements was issued on 26 September. DWFRS continues to provide advice and comment in relation to fire safety arrangements to both Home Office and the operators of the vessel.

The fire risk assessment will be kept under regular review and DWFRS will continue to engage with the Home Office and its suppliers to address any areas of improvement.

Fire safety arrangements on board the vessel include addressable fire detection and alarm system; a limited suppression system in the galley/kitchen and machinery spaces; and fire extinguishers and hose reels for initial firefighting attack by trained staff.

Passive fire safety measures include self-closing fire doors and fire resisting construction to the means of escape. Staff will be on board to assist any evacuation, and measures are in place to limit the ignition sources and combustible storage on board.

All staff members with key roles in fire evacuation have received accredited fire warden training and will undergo regular drills.

Are transport services being provided?

Through our contracted service provider, the Home Office provides a bus service to take asylum seekers from the port to destinations agreed with local agencies. This is designed to ensure the movement of asylum seekers on and off the boat is orderly and controlled, with the impact on the immediate surrounding community as small as possible.

Who is contracted as the provider of the vessel and will the same provider be responsible for all facilities, services, staff etc both on the barge and shore side?

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) is responsible for managing the services on the barge. CTM, who managed two Scottish vessels used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, has a strong track record of providing this kind of accommodation, and we are confident that they have the ability to manage the vessel and its supporting services. CTM has worked closely and successfully with local authorities and other public and voluntary organisations in Scotland.

What facilities will be provided on board?

All occupants of the barge are provided with adequate and functional accommodation, catering, and laundry. There will be exercise, recreational and multi-faith facilities on board to minimise their need to leave the site, alongside transport to and from the Port.

Home Office is providing funding to the NHS to support on-site primary health service, to help reduce the impact on NHS services.

Additionally, the Home Office is providing funding to Dorset Council, which is for them to consider how it is best spent.

How big are the rooms?

All occupants of the barge are provided with adequate and functional accommodation.

All cabins have windows, air conditioning, heating units, storage and the vessel is WIFI enabled. All rooms will have ensuite bathroom facilities. We are ensuring that accommodation provided meets regulatory standards where required.

There are multiple communal spaces, a canteen and laundry.

What about local people living near Portland?

The Home Office is providing funding to Dorset Council (£3,500 per occupied bed space), to the local NHS and Police to reduce the impact on the local community and local services.

We are working closely with the council and others to address local concerns, so that we minimise any potential impact on the local area.

The Home Office is providing funding to the NHS to support an on-site primary health service to reduce the impact on local NHS services

Will vulnerable people be housed at Portland?

We will assess individual’s suitability to reside at Portland and will only accommodate single adult males who are considered suitable to reside there. Guidance on the suitability criteria used can be found here: Allocation of accommodation.

Each person’s suitability will be assessed at regular intervals and if they are no longer suitable for any reason, they will be moved to alternative accommodation.

All asylum seekers in the UK may contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if they need help, advice or guidance, that includes raising issues relating to safeguarding.

What kind of security measures will be put in place?

Home Office has worked closely with Dorset Police, Portland Port, and the service provider responsible for the accommodation facility to develop plans and responses for the safety and security of the asylum seekers and the wider community.

Home Office is providing Dorset Police additional funding to minimise any impact on local policing resources. Dorset police are experienced in providing a flexible policing response to changing demands and already support an asylum-seeking community in Bournemouth. Dorset Police will be resourcing enhanced patrols to support the policing of Weymouth and Portland to reassure the local communities and the asylum seekers being accommodated at Portland Port.

Portland Port has well-established security protocols in place, including its own police and security officers. The port is also in regular communication with Dorset Police and the Home Office, and a great deal of work is taking place by Portland Port, the Home Office, and local agencies to ensure that the Bibby Stockholm is operated in a safe and successful way both for those onboard the vessel and in the local community.

The Home Office’s provider, CTM, has managed a vessel successfully and safely in Scotland. We recognise the concerns of the local community and security forms an integral part of the proposed site. A specialist and experienced security provider will also be working on site 24/7.

What have you put in place to mitigate the local community’s concerns?

We have worked closely with key stakeholders through a Multi-Agency Forum (MAF), to coordinate preparations for the barge, address local concerns, and minimise any potential impact on the local area. The MAF is made up of representatives from Home Office, Dorset Council, NHS Dorset, Dorset Police, and others. The safety and security of the local communities, the staff and those accommodated on the sites remain of the utmost importance.

Additionally, Home Office supports local engagement through working collaboratively with MAF colleagues and Portland Port.

How will this impact local services, including health?

The Home Office is providing funding to the NHS to support an onsite primary health service to reduce the impact on local NHS services.

What medical facilities are on board?

The medical facility on the barge is staffed 5 days a week to provide an onsite primary healthcare service with which the asylum seekers will register; this means individuals will not need to register with a local GP practice. The medical team has previous experience of working with asylum seekers.

This team will provide care to the asylum seekers either on the vessel itself between the hours of 9am-5pm, or remotely (including outside of these hours).

Medical provision will include:

• a qualified senior health professional, such as an advanced nurse practitioner or a paramedic on site 5 days per week - 9am-5pm

• a GP onsite (one day per week) 9am-5pm

• remote access to GP consultations when onsite care is unavailable or needs additional support

• access to translation services is in place and this has been shared with local services

• any prescribed medicines will be transported to the vessel for the asylum seekers

What happens to migrants once they arrive in the UK by small boat?

Small boat crossings are dangerous, unnecessary, and put lives at risk. There have been appalling and preventable tragedies in the Channel which must stop.

We aim to deter illegal entry to the UK, break the business model of people smugglers and protect the lives of those they endanger.

Migrants are brought to facilities in Kent to begin processing their asylum claims.

Full screening of people’s identity, security checks, initial asylum screening and processing is undertaken at the Western Jet Foil in Dover and Manston, Kent.

Migrants are then moved to suitable accommodation locations as quickly as possible.