Government-funded Barge Housing 500 Asylum Seekers Docks in Portland Port, Sparking Protests

The arrival of the Bibby Stockholm comes as the government's Illegal Migration Bill is set to become law, outlawing asylum claims by all arrivals via the Channel and other "illegal" routes, and transferring them to third countries like Rwanda.

The vessel, which will remain in Portland for 18 months, is part of the government's efforts to cut the cost of housing for asylum seekers.

The Home Office has said that using vessels as alternative accommodation would be cheaper than hotels and better value for British taxpayers, with the current cost of housing around 51,000 "destitute migrants" in hotels across the UK at over £6m a day.

The barge, which is basic but functional, will provide catering, recreational areas, and basic health care provision for the asylum seekers.

The cohort of single adult males has been agreed with local authorities and health partners to mitigate the burden on local public services, such as schools and health services.

The asylum seekers have undergone "robust security checks", including checks against domestic and international databases, and had their fingerprints and identities recorded prior to going aboard.

However, many local residents have not been consulted about the decision and have voiced anger over how the deal was taken without their input.

The decision to house the asylum seekers on the barge has been criticized by human rights groups as "inhumane".

The first 50 asylum seekers are expected to go aboard in the next few days, while the barge is set to reach its full capacity in the coming weeks.

The asylum seekers are expected to live on the vessel for about three to six months while their claims are dealt with.

They will not be officially detained and there will be no curfew.

The Conservative MP for Dorset South, Richard Drax, has expressed sympathy for the government's efforts to deal with the ongoing issue of migrants crossing the English Channel, but has stated that putting them on a barge is not the solution.

The barge in question, the Bibby Stockholm, was previously used to house homeless people and asylum seekers in Germany and the Netherlands.

However, it was criticized for creating an "oppressive environment" when the Dutch government used it, and has since been refurbished with en-suite rooms, a TV and games room, and a gym, according to a fact sheet from its owner, Bibby Maritime.

Despite concerns over the cost and effectiveness of using the Bibby Stockholm to house asylum seekers, Portland Port has said that providing berthing space for the barge is "the right thing to do" and will allow Dorset to "play its part in the national effort to house some of the thousands of asylum seekers needing accommodation." The Home Office has also announced plans for alternative accommodation, including former military bases, which it claims is more cost-effective than putting asylum seekers in hotels, which costs £6m per day.

However, the full costs of the Bibby Stockholm have not been disclosed, and refugee campaign group Reclaim The Sea has claimed that it would cost more than staying in hotels.

The Home Office has stated that it will "continue to work extremely closely with local councils and key partners to prepare for the arrival of asylum seekers later this month and minimize disruption for local residents, including through substantial financial support." Dorset Council will receive £1.7m over the duration of the vessel's stay in the port.

It's important to note that the use of the Bibby Stockholm to house asylum seekers is a controversial issue and has been met with criticism from some groups.

The government and relevant authorities are continuing to work on finding a solution to the ongoing issue of migrants crossing the English Channel.