The UK government is considering moving people who arrive in the country on small boats from asylum hotels into former military barracks, Defence Secretary John Healey said, as ministers scramble to respond to a record number of Channel crossings.
Healey told reporters his department was examining whether vacant barracks could be used as "temporary accommodation" while other options are prepared. The development forms part of plans to fast-track the closure of hotels used to house migrants, a move that ministers say would reduce costs and speed longer-term processing.
The announcement comes on the heels of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's first day in office, when the number of people arriving by small boat this year surpassed 30,000. Mahmood described the crossings as "utterly unacceptable," and ministers said more than 1,000 people arrived on Saturday — the second-highest single-day total recorded.
Government officials have not published a completed plan or timetable for converting barracks for civilian housing but said assessments were under way to determine suitability, capacity and the security and welfare arrangements such sites would require. Local authorities and advocacy groups called for clarity on oversight and timescales, and charities urged the government to ensure humane conditions and rapid case processing.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure from within his party to adopt a tougher stance on migration. Red Wall Labour MPs have warned he must show resolve on the issue, and senior party figures have urged caution after recent political setbacks. Emily Thornberry, a senior Labour politician identified by some as a potential contender for deputy leadership, warned Starmer to "stop making mistakes," saying further errors risked bolstering opponents.
The reshuffle that accompanied Mahmood's appointment has also prompted debate about the government’s economic direction. The Times reported that centrist figures aligned with former prime minister Tony Blair have been given control of key economic departments to boost growth and pursue welfare changes. That reorientation has drawn scrutiny from unions and the party's left wing.
Union leaders reacted sharply after the resignation of Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, saying they would fight to protect workers' rights and warning the prime minister against diluting promised protections. The Labour leadership has said it remains committed to delivering a workers' rights bill, but ministers have not released a timetable.
Beyond domestic politics, the day's round of headlines included international developments that signal shifting global alignments. The Financial Times reported that China is preparing to reopen its onshore bond market to major Russian energy companies, a move that would mark the first Russian corporate fundraising in mainland China since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Analysts said the step would underscore deepening economic and diplomatic ties between Beijing and Moscow.
Officials said the government’s immediate focus remained on ensuring safe reception and processing of those who cross the Channel while pursuing diplomatic and enforcement measures to disrupt organised people-smuggling networks. Mahmood has blamed criminal gangs for exploiting the route, saying they are "wreaking havoc," and ministers have renewed calls for international cooperation to stem crossings.
Migrants' advocates cautioned that moving people into former military sites could compound trauma for some asylum seekers and urged the government to guarantee access to legal help, medical care and adequate support. Local councils and service providers said they needed detailed plans and funding commitments to prepare for any transfers.
The government faces legal, logistical and political hurdles if it proceeds. Barracks vary in condition and location, and conversion for civilian use requires planning, utilities work and safeguarding measures. Ministers said any use would be temporary and part of a broader package intended to reduce reliance on hotel accommodation while accelerating asylum decisions.
As ministers prepare further announcements, the issue is likely to remain central to political debate in Westminster, where migration, cost-of-living pressures and party unity are competing priorities ahead of the next general election.