Is the Bibby Stockholm cruel? The first people have moved into a converted barge that will one day house 500 migrants.
Furious debate over migrant 'floating prison'
Is the Bibby Stockholm cruel? The first people have moved into a converted barge that will one day house 500 migrants.
What's happening?
Only 15 people boarded the boat. But they were watched by hundreds of people. Some were officials sent to make sure everything ran smoothly. Some were reporters and journalistsPeople whose job it is to report on the news. . Others were campaigners.
The first 15 of a planned 500 asylum seekersPeople who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere. boarded the Bibby Stockholm on Monday, a repurposed bargeA long flat-bottomed boat for carrying goods. . Officials hope it will lower the cost of housing refugeesAnyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from..
The barge, built in 1972, used to be a homeless shelter. It was designed to house 222 people - but 500 people could live there soon. If so, each person could have less living space than a parking spot.
Britain's leaders want the number of people crossing the English ChannelThe stretch of water separating France and England is only 21 miles at its narrowest point, making it a popular way to enter the UK. in small boats to fall. Many think that if living in the UK does not sound very nice, fewer people will come.
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Leaders also say the barge will lower costs. Today, the UK spends £6m every day to house migrants in the hotel. Using barges instead of hotels could make housing migrants cheaper.
But to others, the Bibby Stockholm is a symbol of the cruel treatment refugees will receive when they arrive in the UK.
And even though leaders have been trying to stop small boat arrivals, more than 15,000 people have crossed the English Channel this year so far.
Some say this proves that their efforts are not working. Refugees risk their lives to make it to a safe havenA place of safety. , they say - they will not be put off by an uncomfortable bed.
Is the Bibby Stockholm cruel?
Yes! It does not have enough space to be a home for 500 people. It is not fair to house people in a place described as a "floating prison".
No! The barge is said to have a gym, a dining hall and common rooms with games and other forms of entertainment. Everyone will have a bed to sleep in. It will be clean. It is not cruel.
Keywords
Journalists - People whose job it is to report on the news.
Asylum seekers - People who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere.
Barge - A long flat-bottomed boat for carrying goods.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
English Channel - The stretch of water separating France and England is only 21 miles at its narrowest point, making it a popular way to enter the UK.
Haven - A place of safety.
Furious debate over migrant ‘floating prison’
Glossary
Journalists - People whose job it is to report on the news.
Asylum seekers - People who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere.
Barge - A long flat-bottomed boat for carrying goods.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
English Channel - The stretch of water separating France and England is only 21 miles at its narrowest point, making it a popular way to enter the UK.
Haven - A place of safety.