The United Kingdom’s defence secretary said the government is examining whether military sites could be used to house asylum seekers as part of a broader effort to end the use of hotels for temporary accommodation.
John Healey told BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg that the Department for Defence would “play our part” in locating temporary accommodation, saying military planners were working alongside the Home Office and that officials were also considering a range of non-military sites. “What you are seeing from Keir Starmer now is this isn't just a job for the Home Office, it's an all of government effort,” he said.
Healey’s comments come after the Labour Party pledged to stop housing asylum seekers in hotels before the next general election, following a series of protests over the summer about the use of hotels for people awaiting decisions on their claims. Just over 32,000 asylum seekers are currently living in hotels while their claims are processed, the government says, with roughly a third of those in taxpayer-funded accommodation.
The announcement follows a major cabinet reshuffle in which Shabana Mahmood replaced Yvette Cooper as home secretary. Reports indicate Mahmood may announce new proposals within weeks to use military land for temporary housing. Two former military sites — MDP Wethersfield, a former RAF base in Essex, and Napier Barracks, a former military base in Kent — are already being used to house asylum seekers after being opened under the previous government.
The Home Office had been expected to increase the number of migrants accommodated at the Wethersfield site. Napier Barracks, which had been scheduled to stop housing asylum seekers this month, is now set to remain open for a longer period, government sources said.
Officials did not provide a detailed timetable for converting additional military sites, and Healey declined to give specifics about locations or capacity during the interview. He confirmed, however, that the ministry was searching both military and civilian options to provide temporary shelter while claims are decided.
The proposed shift comes as Labour faces pressure to follow through on its commitment to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers, a policy it has linked to broader efforts to reform the asylum system. The party has framed the move as necessary to address humanitarian concerns raised by campaigners and to respond to public unease sparked by protests at some hotel sites.
Housing asylum seekers on former military sites has precedent in recent years, and the government’s exploration of additional sites reflects the logistical challenge of finding secure, temporary accommodation for thousands of people while their immigration cases proceed through the system. Ministers have pointed to the need for national coordination across departments to meet targets for ending hotel use.
The Home Office and the Ministry of Defence have not published a comprehensive plan listing potential sites or capacities. Any decision to use additional defence land would involve assessments of suitability, security, services and the legal status of occupants. Local authorities and community groups are likely to be engaged as individual proposals are developed.
Labour officials say ending the use of hotels is a priority ahead of the next election, but have acknowledged the practical challenges of rehousing people currently billeted in commercial accommodation. The government’s next steps, including any formal announcements by the new home secretary, will be closely watched by advocacy groups, local councils and communities near potential sites.