Labour to scatter migrants

The UK Labour government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, plans to discontinue the use of large military sites for housing asylum seekers, opting instead to disperse them throughout the country in empty homes and former student blocks. This decision aims to alleviate the pressure on local services caused by concentrated migrant populations in hotels and military bases. Critics, including ex-Tory MP Alex Stafford and Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice, argue that this policy prioritizes asylum seekers over British citizens in the housing queue and may exacerbate tensions amid ongoing public protests against mass migration. The government has also scrapped the Bibby Stockholm barge for accommodation due to its controversial conditions, with previous plans under the Conservative government deemed costly and ineffective. Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has emphasized the need for equitable distribution of asylum seekers to ensure they receive necessary support. Overall, the shift reflects a significant change in the government's approach to managing asylum accommodation in Britain.