The UK government is facing backlash over plans to house up to 10,000 migrants at 14 locations across the country. A leaked Home Office document revealed that former military facilities have been identified to accommodate the asylum seekers, as part of a pledge to end the use of taxpayer-funded asylum hotels by 2029. The initiative aims to reduce the significant cost of housing migrants, which currently stands at billions of pounds annually.

According to the document, marked “official sensitive,” the migrants would be accommodated at upgraded facilities and would be free to leave at any time, although the camps would be fenced. Two locations have been confirmed: Cameron Barracks in Inverness and the Crowborough Army Training Camp in East Sussex. The Home Office currently provides a shuttle bus service to nearby towns at a similar site in Wethersfield, Essex.

However, the plan has sparked concern among local residents, with hundreds protesting in Crowborough against the proposal to house 600 asylum seekers at the disused base. Protesters carried signs reading “Protect our children” and “Protect our community,” with some expressing fears for the safety of women and girls. Defence officials have acknowledged that the use of bases near residential areas is “problematic” and likely to face “fierce resistance” from locals.

In Inverness, locals have also expressed concern, citing fears for the safety of women and girls. The proposed accommodation is located a short distance from the city centre. According to government data, the Home Office is currently supporting around 103,000 migrants at public expense, including just over 32,000 housed in hotels. The number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats has surpassed 38,000 this year, exceeding the total recorded in 2024.

The plan has significant implications for the UK’s migration policy, with the government aiming to reduce the reliance on taxpayer-funded asylum hotels. The use of former military facilities to house migrants is a contentious issue, with many locals expressing concerns about the impact on their communities. As the government moves forward with the plan, it is likely to face continued opposition from residents and community groups.