It is 1620. The MayflowerThe ship on which the first Puritan settlers, now often known as the Pilgrim Fathers, arrived. Some US families are proud to trace their ancestry all the way back to this first voyage., carrying 102 English PilgrimsIn 1620, the Mayflower ship arrived in the New World from Plymouth, carrying English puritans fleeing persecution., is crossing the AtlanticThe ocean to the west of Europe and Africa and to the east of North and South America. to Massachusetts in search of a "new Promised Land". They survive a harsh winter on the treacherousDangerous. waves to set foot on a new shore... but as soon as they do, they are hurried off and told to live on a ferry a little adrift from the harbour.

"This should send a forceful message that there will be proper accommodation, but not luxurious," the passengers are told sternly, exhausted after their long travailAn unpleasant experience or situation, especially one that involves a lot of hard work or effort..

Of course, that is not the real story of the Mayflower. In fact, the immigrants made history establishing the first permanent New EnglandA region of the northeast USA including the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Some of the first European settlers in the region were people from England. colony. If you are a migrant today, you may not be so lucky.

The first 15 of a planned total 500 asylum seekers boarded the Bibby Stockholm on Monday, a repurposed accommodation barge intended to slash the cost to the taxpayerSomebody who pays taxes. Most people have taxes taken out of their wages. of housing refugees.

The barge, built in 1972, has previously been used as a detention centre and homeless shelter.¹ It was fitted out to house 222 people - less than half of the figure set to occupy it. It is claimed residents will have less living space than the average parking spot by the time the boat reaches full capacity.

One Afghan asylum seeker said that the high-security barge "gives the feeling of entering AlcatrazA small island off the coast of California known for its prison. The strong currents and cold temperatures made escaping the island practically impossible. prison", with 24/7 security, ID swipe cards and airport-style scans at the entrance and exit.

On Tuesday, UK government representatives confirmed that moving into the Bibby Stockholm was "not a choice," as refugees claim that they were threatened with losing aid and access to the NHSThe National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948. if they did not complyFollow instructions or orders. with boarding the vessel.

It comes amid a concerted effort by ministers to reduce the attractiveness of the UK to asylum seekersPeople who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere. making small boat crossings into the UK. Amid these penalties, employers and landlords will face huge hikes in the possible fine for employing or hosting people without lawful immigration status: employers could lose up to £45,000 per worker, and landlords £10,000 per tenant.²

And the Home OfficeThe government department responsible for immigration, security, law and order. has reported that by the autumn they hope to house 3,000 asylum seekers across the barge and other controversial converted former military sites in Essex and Lincolnshire.

The UK currently spends £6m per day on accommodating migrants in hotels - some £2bn per year. According to the Home Office and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, new accommodation is being built to reduce the cost to the UK taxpayer.

But to others, the Bibby Stockholm is a symbol of the inhumane treatment refugees will receive when they arrive in the UK. They cite other recent Home Office policies such as the government's plans to deport refugees arriving by boat to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994., which was halted by a legal action amid widespread outrage.

Despite the government's efforts to discourage small boat arrivals, more than 15,000 people have crossed the perilousDangerous. English Channel this year so far.

Some say this proves that deterrenceSomething which deters, or stops, someone from doing something. is the worst possible policy. Refugees risk their lives to make it to a safe haven, they say - they will not be put off by an uncomfortable bed.

Yes: It has been described as a "death trap" by firefighters and apart from that it does not have space to house 500 people. It is not fair to house people in a place described as a "floating prison".

No: The vessel reportedly has 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 and supervised. It is far from inhumane.

Or... It is ironic that asylum seekers are being accused of expecting "luxurious" accommodation in the UK given the awful conditions many survived to get there. Offering unsuitable living space is not going to be a deterrent to refugees, but it does damage their dignity.