Army Barracks to House Migrants as Hotels Phase Out

Published: 28 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

From November, up to 900 migrants are set to be housed in Army barracks under the UK Government’s latest plan to phase out the use of asylum hotels, marking a significant shift in how the country accommodates new arrivals. The Home Office has confirmed that two military facilities, one in Scotland and another in southern England, will temporarily shelter small-boat migrants. Ministers have indicated that additional military sites could eventually provide accommodation for as many as 10,000 people.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed explained that pre-fabricated, modular units are being considered to create additional living space for migrants, allowing the government to manage the process more efficiently. The announcement comes amid mounting criticism from Members of Parliament who accused previous administrations of mismanaging asylum housing, reportedly allowing private companies to make “excessive” profits from the system. Current figures show that more than 32,000 migrants are still living in around 200 hotels at an annual cost of £2.1 billion, averaging £145 per migrant per night—six times higher than the cost of other dispersal housing options.

This move represents a clear departure from previous Labour policy approaches. While the Conservative government heavily relied on asylum hotels, Labour’s new administration has taken a more critical stance on the practice. Shortly after coming to power, Labour closed the Bibby barge in Dorset, which had been housing asylum seekers, and also cancelled plans to convert RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire into a migrant facility. Despite pledges to close RAF Wethersfield in Essex, the site has since been expanded to accommodate up to 1,250 migrants, highlighting the challenges of balancing policy commitments with operational realities.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is reported to support the move to larger sites, suggesting that military facilities could provide a more structured environment than hotels, while also acting as a deterrent against future arrivals. Sources within the Home Office indicate that the government is considering military sites as temporary accommodation solutions that aim to reduce the impact on local communities while offering more sustainable and cost-effective outcomes for taxpayers.

The Prime Minister has instructed both the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence to accelerate the identification of appropriate military locations, with updates expected in the coming weeks and months. Officials are drawing lessons from past attempts under the previous government, hoping to implement a more orderly and efficient approach to large-scale migrant accommodation.

Specific plans have been outlined for the initial phase of the program. Cameron Barracks near Inverness, a 140-year-old facility previously used to house Afghan evacuees who had assisted the British Armed Forces, will host approximately 300 migrants. Work to phase out the barracks’ use for Afghan families began in May, with relocation plans implemented elsewhere in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Army training camp in Crowborough, located near Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, is expected to accommodate around 600 migrants.

The government acknowledges that consultation with local authorities and residents will be necessary before implementation. Previous proposals to house migrants at former military sites, including RAF Scampton, Linton-on-Ouse, and the former HMP Northeye prison in East Sussex, were abandoned after local opposition. Despite these sensitivities, officials are reportedly considering the use of Linton and Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, although the status of these plans remains unclear.

A Home Office spokesperson emphasised the urgency of the program, saying: “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and the overreliance on asylum hotels. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs. We are working closely with local authorities, property partners, and across government so that we can accelerate delivery.”

The move to house migrants in Army barracks reflects a broader challenge faced by the UK in managing migration. With thousands of people arriving by small boats and other routes, the government has struggled to maintain a consistent approach while managing public spending. By moving away from hotels and temporary commercial arrangements, officials hope to establish a system that is not only more cost-effective but also better organised and capable of providing appropriate support to migrants.

Experts have noted that the use of military sites could provide advantages in terms of logistics, security, and infrastructure. Unlike hotels, which are dispersed and often located in residential areas, military facilities are equipped with essential services, transport links, and operational capacity to manage large groups of people in a controlled environment. However, the approach also carries the risk of public criticism and community resistance, particularly if local residents feel excluded from the decision-making process.

Political analysts highlight that the decision marks a turning point in Labour’s migration policy. Previously critical of the Conservative reliance on hotels, the new government’s embrace of large military sites demonstrates a pragmatic shift in response to ongoing operational pressures. By adopting this approach, ministers aim to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers while addressing concerns raised by both MPs and local communities about the current state of asylum accommodation.

As the government prepares to implement these plans, key considerations include ensuring adequate staffing, healthcare, education, and other essential services for migrants housed on military sites. Officials are working to coordinate across multiple departments to ensure that these factors are addressed and that the facilities meet legal obligations and humanitarian standards.

In the coming months, the success of this initiative will likely be closely monitored by both the media and opposition parties. The government’s ability to manage large-scale accommodation effectively while balancing public opinion will be a significant test of Labour’s capacity to deliver on its promises to reform the asylum system.

By moving migrants into Army barracks and reducing reliance on commercial hotels, the government hopes to create a more sustainable, organised, and humane system. The coming weeks and months will reveal how this strategy is received by local communities, migrants, and the wider public, and whether it represents a long-term solution to one of the UK’s most pressing social and political challenges.