Asylum seeker’s accommodation

[Aeronut]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/6331983.stm

The former RAF base at Coltishall in Norfolk is to be taken over by the Home Office to become an immigration detention and removal centre.

[airborne_artist]

The constituency that includes Coltishall is a safe Tory seat. They'd hardly put an immigration centre in a marginal Labour seat, would they?

[Had Enough 77]

What a complete and utter slap in the face, i spent an absolute great 7 months holding on the OCU there. It is a lovely station. I think that it is an insult to the heritage of a great place and area.:*

[dakkg651]

What a terrible fate for a station that was in the forefront of repelling the invader in 1940. Now it is going to host the new invaders. This country has passed the point of no return methinks

[AonP]

Below is a link to the EDP, what a shame to see the place rotting.

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED20%20Nov%202007%2021%3A42%3A07%3A300

[RICKIT]

I had the best 3 years of my career at Colt. I was posted to another unit in Norfolk 2 years ago but I've still not fully recovered. Should have got referred to DMHU for therapy...:ugh::{

[Lyneham Lad]

Am I missing something here? The link in the first post leads to a BBC report dated 5th Feb 2007 :confused:

[roony]

That's because the first post was written on 5th Feb 07.

[Wensleydale]

How much will you wager that the accommodation will be radically improved at great expense because it is deemed to be below standard for the immigrants?

[green granite]

How much will you wager that the accommodation will be radically improved at great expense because it is deemed to be below standard for the immigrants?

That's a forgone conclusion, after all we can't have the poor things living in anything but luxury can we, might infringe their human rights. :rolleyes:

[Jamma]

Having been fortunate to have spent many years at Colt finally leaving in 1996, it was with great sadness that I saw it's closure and uncertain future. I did however, write to the Defence Estates Agency to see if I could have a final look around the station in March of this year and was fortunate to have that wish granted and see the old place on a cold bright day, prior to it's slide into disrepair. Then today I received my order of "RAF Coltishall Fighter Station, A Station History" by Mick Jennings, just browsing this book is enough for me to recommend it highly, it will be a compelling read especially for anyone who has been lucky enough to be connected in any way with the place. I can only hope that someone with money and imagination can save Coltishall from the bunch of indecisive muppets that are currently in charge.

[Lyneham Lad]

"That's because the first post was written on 5th Feb 07."

With initials LL I should look before I leap! :ouch:

LL

[aw ditor]

Presumably replacing the current (ex RAF) Oakington facility which is about to get 12000 houses built on it, now the bombs have been cleared!

[AonP]

Shock horror - the accom at Coltishall has been deemed too poor for immigrants. What a shame this wasn't highlighted when hundreds of Airmen were living in the same conditions!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2963348.ece

[Top Right]

AonP,

Maybe someone will spot this anomaly and link it to the "troops returning to inadequate accommodation" trail currently in the media as part of the Lords Guthrie, Craig and Boyce debate?

Someone from California (!!) has already replied as much to the Times article - maybe he's a reader here?

[JagRigger]

That's even more depressing when you realise the immigration accomodation was going to be in the Sgts Mess............

[roony]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7128181.stm

So Coltishall is now planned to be a "cat C" prison after all.

[dwhcomputers]

Have the Barrack Blocks been modified to single man rooms with their own en suites

[JagRigger]

They hadn't when the military left.........

[dwhcomputers]

So they were they old 16 man rooms then? No doubt the prisoners will not move in until they have all mod cons fitted

[Like This - Do That]

When the Australian Government took in Kosovar refugees in 1999 many of them objected to the accomodation provided at the Infantry Centre at Singleton.

Basic the lines were, but clean and functional and in all the times I'd stayed there I was taken aback by the utter lack of Serbian death squads roving around ....

Laugh? I almost did :}

[JagRigger]

Most of the blocks were single man rooms, with H&C sinks, but none on-suite. I believe one still had 4 man rooms with no sinks, but that was out of use for the last few years.

[Wensleydale]

I remember when the floating "Coastels" which had been used as military accommadation at RAF Stanley in the Falkland Islands were offered as prison ships once MPA was ready. They too were turned down because the accommodation was substandard for the poor little convicted thugs who got a £10 pound call home phone card at Christmas when serving personnel were only given £5. It appears that the only other difference between a PC and murder is that your pension doesn't get cut in half when you only serve half your term for murder.

[mutleyfour]

Maybe the immigrants could entertain themselves in the simulator? :}

[OCCWMF]

If they can fly it alright maybe we should sign them up. That would solve the manning problem:}. Must be cheaper than all those aptitude tests...

[Saintsman]

Apparently some of the accommodation used to house asylum seekers has been deemed ‘filthy and run-down’. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-56325360


From what I remember, it seems pretty much like the transit accommodation in most camps I visited, though granted, it was a few years ago.

[Chris Kebab]

Jet Blast please....

[Sideshow Bob]

Jet Blast please....
Don't know, he's got a point. My first room out of basic training was in a condemned block with only 1 working shower for the whole downstairs floor.

[Bob Viking]

Where there’s blame there’s a claim. I’d say you could sue the MOD for such poor treatment.

BV

[NutLoose]

Alternate accomodation is available, here is a nice quiet site just outside Dunkirk.



https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/962x640/31c5e25200000578_3482280_tents_lie_scattered_throughout_the_ mud_of_the_original_refugee_c_a_4_1457455755452_55d38fba619f d31fe0c1e392f14d5a5829ffe958.jpg



Or Calais if they prefer a different aspect

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1460x971/headlineimage_adapt_1460_high_calais_jungle_winter_04a_14528 88533444_cbd94ed7618717a99c1914a33a1fe0c2a8ec4a33.jpg

[NutLoose]

The lights at Odiham were those globe shades and when it rained, they used to fill up with rainwater... Downstairs!, the room was divided off by wardrobes into about 16 bedspaces and someone in disgust wrote to farmers weekly stating he had a well lit warm room xyz size and how many pigs would they recommend housing... they published it and it was a lot less than there were of us in it.

[Sideshow Bob]

Where there’s blame there’s a claim. I’d say you could sue the MOD for such poor treatment.

BV
lol I think the statute of limitations may of expired on that one :}

[spitfirek5054]

The lights at Odiham were those globe shades and when it rained, they used to fill up with rainwater... Downstairs!, the room was divided off by wardrobes into about 16 bedspaces and someone in disgust wrote to farmers weekly stating he had a well lit warm room xyz size and how many pigs would they recommend housing... they published it and it was a lot less than there were of us in it.
Hastings Block?

[NutLoose]

Yes! side nearest the NAFF 1

[ex-fast-jets]

From NutLoose...............

Alternate accomodation is available, here is a nice quiet site just outside Dunkirk.



https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/962x640/31c5e25200000578_3482280_tents_lie_scattered_throughout_the_ mud_of_the_original_refugee_c_a_4_1457455755452_55d38fba619f d31fe0c1e392f14d5a5829ffe958.jpg


Looks very similar to a Harrier Field Deployment site in Germany in the 70's - except our tents were green and we didn't ponce around in yellow trousers....!!

[spitfirek5054]

Yes! side nearest the NAFF 1
Was upstairs then got exchange posting from ASF to 72 Sqdn,then moved to Sycamore block

[NutLoose]

I was downstairs, Was on the OCU then moved over to the new single room blocks as it was then just outside MT workshops other side of the mess.. we had a couple of 72 Sqn guys in our room in Hastings, two regiment bowser drivers and a couple of Engineers. one a Teddyboy who rebuilt his Tiger Cub motorbike in his bedspace lol.
Was OCU Wessex / Puma and then Chinook.

[cafesolo]

Re # 10: clearly,Harrier people had it soft. On 72 Sqn, we dug slit trenches and slept in them.

[spitfirek5054]

Re # 10: clearly,Harrier people had it soft. On 72 Sqn, we dug slit trenches and slept in them.


+1,,,,,,,,

[Saintsman]

I had to do a course at HMS Daedalus and they put 8 of us in a room with about 20 triple deck bunk beds and with 4 lockers between us before we were moved.

”How come you RAF types always complain about the accommodation?”

[NutLoose]

Re # 10: clearly,Harrier people had it soft. On 72 Sqn, we dug slit trenches and slept in them.

I remember 72sqn building Sanger’s outside their hangar on pallets to keep their feety weety dry... Stores appreciated it turning up one night with a forklift and stealing it to put outside their building. :)

[mopardave]

and I thought Prince William of Gloucester Barracks circa 1982 was rough..........turns out it was like Pontins!

[Bill Macgillivray]

Should have tried Bridgnorth in the mid-50's!! However, we survived and went onto better things(??) at Compton Bassett and then OCTU at Jurby. They were all 12 man huts - only difference was that Jurby was probably? shinier than Bridgnorth!!

Bill

[Wensleydale]

If I remember correctly, one of the Flotels that housed many of us at RAF Stanley in the early 80s was shipped back to Blighty to use for prison accommodation but were rejected because they were too cramped and infringed upon Human rights.

[ex-fast-jets]

The Flotels were sheer luxury in comparison to12x12 tents on the airfield at Stanley in June.

[Teamchief]

The Flotels were sheer luxury in comparison to12x12 tents on the airfield at Stanley in June.

Or the 12x12 tropical tents that were Chindet at Port Sam Carlos, 70 miles from the civilisation of Stanley!

[Training Risky]

I think some of the whinging hand-wringing useful idiots who run the 'Refugees Welcome' groups in Folkestone would do well to come and read some of these recollections!

In fact, I'll send them a link now.

[Ken Scott]

If I remember correctly, one of the Flotels that housed many of us at RAF Stanley in the early 80s was shipped back to Blighty to use for prison accommodation but were rejected because they were too cramped and infringed upon Human rights.


The institution of higher education where I studied in the early 80s had a hall of residence which was reputed to be a twin of one of those blocks, fortunately I was never a resident but had reason to visit on occasion. Tiny rooms with paper thin walls which did little to prevent the transmission of sound.

[Krystal n chips]

The former, 70's, transit block at a well known Lincs base now operating Typhoons was a delight to reside in.....the variable heating / hot water, and single shower complimented the randomly spaced working lights.

Quite how the permanent rat population felt when the block was eventually demolished is unknown

[ex-fast-jets]

You need to have speaks with your Aircrew..............

When I spent a few nights at PSC at the end of May/early June 82, your Aircrew were enjoying the hospitality of the locals in peat-heated rooms, with cupboards full of booze and other luxuries, courtesy of the odd underslung load from Canberra.......

I first arrived by sea, but a few days later I flew in from HERMES in a Harrier (GR3) with a bottle of booze stuffed down the back of the ejection seat, expecting a really warm welcome when I presented it to DL. He thanked me, opened the cupboard next to him, and added it to the amazing selection already in the cupboard......

If they didn't include you, then you were sold short. I feel sure that they did..........

It was all very different...........

[Army Mover]

I suspect it wasn't dirty when they moved in; I suggest someone give them a broom, dustpan, brush, mop and bucket.

[Herod]

The Flotels were sheer luxury in comparison to12x12 tents on the airfield at Stanley in June.

Tha' had 12 x 12? Tha' was lucky. Try 7x 5 A frame, two people plus flying kit. Aye, and we 'ad cold gravel for supper. and 'ad ta lick road clean afterwa'd

[NutLoose]

The reason I posted pictures of Calais was to show that no matter how bad you think the accommodation is, it has been a lot worse, and from what I can see is the inspector was complaining, not those staying there, I would imagine a lot of them have come from absolute **** holes and regular running water may have been a luxury on their journey.

[Sideshow Bob]

Or the 12x12 tropical tents that were Chindet at Port Sam Carlos, 70 miles from the civilisation of Stanley!

It wasn't much better in 2001
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1165x1780/untitled02_c8c28db1f0699ea2faa18e923d2467a83105bbb3.jpg
The showers left a lot to be desired too

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1801x1169/untitled23_2bfd59a0a3438f93fb8f8208948a690be504ab70.jpg

[Asturias56]

The Four Yorkshireman sketch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKHFZBUTA4k

[Dan Gerous]

The SECO huts at Wattisham. Worst posting I had in the RAF. I was only there for 6 months, thank f***, but on leaving I found out the "accommodation" qualified you for sub standard accommodation allowance, which I wasn't informed about on arrival. I tried to claim it back, but was told tough. The place was a disgrace, **** all over the toilet cubicle walls, (and I do mean ****), covered in graffiti. We had block inspections, but I can't recall ever having one done by the station commander

[Radley]

It wasn't much better in 2001
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1165x1780/untitled02_c8c28db1f0699ea2faa18e923d2467a83105bbb3.jpg
The showers left a lot to be desired too

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1801x1169/untitled23_2bfd59a0a3438f93fb8f8208948a690be504ab70.jpg
Reminds me a bit of SEEB, Living next to an active runway.

[Akrotiri bad boy]

I see your tents and raise you the transit caravans on the airfield at Lossie. Spent two weeks in May '79 dodging Hunters, Jags and Shacks when heading for the ablutions before being upgraded to Fulmar Block.

[Sideshow Bob]

Reminds me a bit of SEEB, Living next to an active runway.
There's probably a reason for that, first tent as you entered the compound. Seeb Dec 2001 (Op Oracle)
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1105/untitled15_4dfcd6efd53fb1989cf4f19a29162cd4bc0ec5f3.jpg

[Dougie M]

The "tent art" was great here. I think the first one was the Hotel Bastardo (NO Vacancies) and the bar was the Camel's Hump.

[NutLoose]

Good to see they provided storage for all the crews colostomy bags ;)


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1801x1169/image_1375a790133cdc815f480c5aa618514ea4f3c17c.jpeg

[downsizer]

Another cracking thread in the Mil History forum.

[chevvron]

Apparently Scampton and Wethersfield are being considered for use as centres for housing illegal immigrants.

[dctyke]

Went well at Linton on Ouse after spending a fortune on preparing it for asylum seekers.

[langleybaston]

Surely the khazi at RAF Nicosia, shared by Ops, Met and ATC, and 50 yards away, building 706 or 716, is high on the squalis list?

A sinking unirrigated urinal trough, and a single deep drop thunderbox [said to house rats] and no lights.

Thus: the prize hollyhocks along the Met. wall, watered day and night, and chronic constipation for all.

[cynicalint]

Nah, it'll be cheaper to continue to pay hotel rates than upgrade the buildings, considered acceptable to service folks, to a fit standard expected by asylum seekers.

[Asturias56]

Nah, it'll be cheaper to continue to pay hotel rates than upgrade the buildings, considered acceptable to service folks, to a fit standard expected by asylum seekers.


I regret to say I think you've hit the nail on the head. And of course hotels aren't added to the books - they just "emergency" payments - which helps the Treasury

[NutLoose]

Personally i would have them sleeping on the streets as they do in France, it just gives them another incentive to come here, and those that complain and riot about the hotel accomodation would find themselves on a plane back home.

I find the situation disgusting that we are putting up asylum seekers in Hotels, when born and bred British homeless citizens are forced to sleep on the streets of this Country and have to gain meals from charity organisations, when illegal immigrants and asylum seekers are given hotel rooms, meals and funds for other items etc.

"Asylum seekers receive three varied meals a day, designed to cater for cultural difference and that meet NHS Eatwell Standards."

They added: "All asylum seekers in hotels are provided with full board accommodation with three meals a day served as well as all other essentials, including cash payments where eligible.

"Those in full-board accommodation receive the £8.24 weekly payment to cover essential living items.

"This is intended to cover clothing, non-prescription medicine and travel.


https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/20658676.refugees-protest-living-conditions-hilltop-hotel-carlisle/

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

Went well at Linton on Ouse after spending a fortune on preparing it for asylum seekers.
Linton was never suitable as a site. Sadly the two clowns at the Home Office who were responsible for saying it was are still employed.

Good luck Scampton.

Oh, and to those who cried NIMBY at those of us who objected to the Linton plan - I hope you live near Scampton and go through the absolute hell Linton villagers went through.

[downsizer]

I have to wonder if our definitions of "absolute hell" are the same.....:hmm:

[Baldeep Inminj]

Oh, and to those who cried NIMBY at those of us who objected to the Linton plan - I hope you live near Scampton and go through the absolute hell Linton villagers went through.

I do have to wonder if you have a TV. Have you seen what’s happening in Ukraine? That is absolute hell. Housing some asylum seekers in your sleepy village in safe and beautiful North Yorkshire does not even register on the ‘hell’ scale.

And these people have to go somewhere. Under the government s new law, a 18 year old woman, who has been a sex slave since she was 11, has been gang-raped hundreds of times and who is illegally trafficked to the UK on a small boat, will be deported without any chance at all to ask for help. It is utterly shameful I am afraid.

[minigundiplomat]

I do have to wonder if you have a TV. Have you seen what’s happening in Ukraine? That is absolute hell. Housing some asylum seekers in your sleepy village in safe and beautiful North Yorkshire does not even register on the ‘hell’ scale.

And these people have to go somewhere. Under the government s new law, a 18 year old woman, who has been a sex slave since she was 11, has been gang-raped hundreds of times and who is illegally trafficked to the UK on a small boat, will be deported without any chance at all to ask for help. It is utterly shameful I am afraid.

1. They are coming from France; why would they be safer in the UK than in an EU/OECD/G7 state?
2. The new rules only apply to those not coming from identified war zones such as Ukraine, Afghanistan etc.
3. Of the 45,000 that arrived in the last year, a third were from Albania, where there is no conflict and they are a EU candidate nation. Others were from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, where there is an established asylum route.
4. Both the EU, and EU member states, including Germany who did much to create the current crisis, are looking at deportation to third states.
5. Why isn't the 18 year old woman's home state doing more to stop her being gang-raped? Shouldn't the government do more to hold other nations to account for their human rights, rather than just accepting endless streams of people?
6. There are accepted routes for asylum, the new rules only apply to those arriving by boat.
7. The English channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world; when would you recommend, and how would you recommend the problem is solved? By accepting people, more will come and the beaches of Kent will see bodies of those that didn't make it washed up on a regular basis.
8. 45,000 people is a new hospital, several schools, 2-3 GP clinics and 10-15000 new homes a year..... that's just those arriving by dinghy. Our resources are not infinite.

[Toadstool]

Linton was never suitable as a site. Sadly the two clowns at the Home Office who were responsible for saying it was are still employed.

Good luck Scampton.

Oh, and to those who cried NIMBY at those of us who objected to the Linton plan - I hope you live near Scampton and go through the absolute hell Linton villagers went through.

Could this statement cry NIMBY any more? Thanks SATCO, I’m sure we’ll manage this “absolute hell”.

[NutLoose]

I would like to point out I have not a problem with those coming from Ukraine, nor those who helped us in Afghanistan, simply those who are migrant workers etc and have past through the likes of EU countries to arrive here.
I am a firm believer in that Government funding should be aimed and prioritised at getting UK residents first and foremost, some who have often paid into the system, off the streets and into accomodation before asylum seekers.
The problem is when homeless you do not have an address, therefore you cannot claim benefits, nor hold a bank account or get employment, it is a disgusting merry go round for them, some who are ex servicemen, if our country cannot repay their service in kind and support them, who can, those are the ones that need helping first to get themselves back into society.

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

Priceless.

You are deluded if you think these immigrants are Ukranian war-migrants. They are not.

Linton "guests" were to be 1500+ SINGLE men aged between 18 and 45 free to roam in a village of 600-folks, no local facilities, and very little transport links.

You need to wake up and not fall for the "poor souls" bull****.

Ukranians would have been most welcome at Linton. Those from France that hav epassed numerous safe countries to get to Calais and then elected to enter the country illegally were not, especially given the demographic shift it would have had.

As I say. Good luck Scamptom. https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2023/03/hiring-begins-for-staff-to-run-raf-scampton-migrant-camp/?fbclid=IwAR0QMm1DOYdZiMiy0Bpr_b-NASGqLFIcEttmXEBXu5jS-J2R48rX9x9da38

[Opsbeatch]

One week at Wethersfield will have them fighting to go home!

OB

[NutLoose]

And it just gets worse

£300m Scampton development “could be totally scuppered” by asylum seeker plansDevelopment partner said plans could not work side-by-side

Plans for a major £300million investment at RAF Scampton could be “totally scuppered” by Home Office plans to house asylum seekers there, the company behind the proposals have said.

West Lindsey District Council confirmed earlier this week that it was working with development partner Scampton Holdings Limited to buy the former RAF Scampton site.

Leaders called it a “landmark deal” which would preserve, protect and enhance the site by providing aviation heritage, business, aerospace, space and aviation technology and education opportunities.
i (https://stonebowmedia.co.uk)In an interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire on Friday, Peter Hewitt the boss of Scampton Holdings told Sean Dunderdale warned that the “very exciting opportunity” was at risk.

“This could be totally scuppered by the Home Office ideas of putting some 1500 migrants on the site,” he said.

“What this will do will mean, we just can’t start and deliver this at all, because [people] are contained within fences. They are going to be free to wander around and that, of course, is rather inconsistent with running an airfield and air-side operations.”

Asked if the plans could work side-by-side, Mr Hewitt said: “No, I don’t think it could”.
https://thelincolnite.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Scampton-Development-Zones-Overlay-copy.jpgDetails also emerged of the size and location of the migrant camp.

Mr Hewitt said the Home Office were planning to use 5% of the site, which equated to around 40 acres, while West Lindsey wanted to redevelop 130 acres.

“So, actually it comprises 30% of what we’re trying to deliver, but worse than that it is bang in the area that we are planning for the space zone and that is the area that would be first to be developed.

“So no, it just does not work frankly.”

The space area is located at the north east corner of the airfield (in red on the artists’ impressions), alongside the A15.

Mr Hewitt confirmed a brief meeting with West Lindsey had already been held and said there was “not a huge amount of enthusiasm” for the Home Office plans.

He said there were numerous other sites that could be used which were “far more suitable” and “don’t have the major loss of this major levelling up opportunity”.

“Do you want a £300 million redevelopment with all the benefits that go with that in terms of numbers of people that are going to get jobs, or do you want 1500 migrants? It seems a pretty pretty binary choice to me.”


https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2023/03/300m-scampton-development-could-be-totally-scuppered-by-asylum-seeker-plans/

[aw ditor]

Thought old USAF Bases were "on" 115 Volts domestically'. Could be a flash point?

[NutLoose]

Can they not simply hire a cruise ship for them?

[langleybaston]

This is a national scandal. The current government [which seems not attempt to govern] was elected, inter alia, to sort the illegal immigration. In other words, to defend our borders from arrivals through unauthorised means.
As I understand it, every arrival has passed through a country in which he/she could claim asylum, so for them we are a destination of choice. What not to like?
There are not many do-gooders in the poorer parts of Kent, the do-gooders live in leafy suburbs and cosy villages.
Charity begins at home, and the poor of our country are using community larders of necessity. Our village of 700 houses has a larder that is run by the church and is in constant use, while 21 year old males posing as children with moustaches live in warm hotels, well fed and with cash handouts.
WAKE UP UK, YOU ARE BEING TAKEN FOR SUCKERS.

[mopardave]

I think if I were seeking asylum, I'd show some ruddy gratitude and keep my head down. Is their punchy attitude toward this country not indicative of what the future holds? No one is questioning helping sex trafficked females or young children.......that's just the humane thing to do.......but fighting age males who then have the cheek to kick off because we're not doing enough!! How about getting some homeless ex servicemen off the streets? Why is no one saying anything about those countries that refuse to take any asylum seekers? Surely charity begins at home? Silly me, of course it doesn't!

[bugged on the right]

I sometimes wonder if the women and children are put on first class and business sailings to enhance the pick-up time? All men, Economy, Business some women. First gets a baby. These people are good at human shield work.

[NutLoose]

One week at Wethersfield will have them fighting to go home!

OB

Or maybe not… and I wonder why it is unsuitable.

A Ministry of Defence site that the Home Office is considering using (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/04/ministers-urged-to-drop-plans-for-asylum-centre-at-former-raf-base-in-essex-mdp-wethersfield) to accommodate asylum seekers has a range of contamination risks including undetonated explosives, ground contamination and asbestos, according to government documents.

The government is considering using the former RAF Wethersfield in north Essex (https://www.theguardian.com/uk/essex), a 300-hectare (800-acre) airbase first used during the second world war before being taken over by the US air force during the cold war.Along with concerns about the isolated location and lack of support services for asylum seekers at Wethersfield, a report from the MoD states that the cold war munitions store area on the site “is likely to have a high risk of UXOs” – unexploded ordnance. Residents are also concerned about the presence of PFAS, otherwise known as forever chemicals, found in firefighting foam, something used for decades at the base.
The letter said that an extract from a report commissioned by the DIO, dated June 2021, identified an area of Wethersfield airbase with “high risk of ground contamination, asbestos, munitions and UXO costs” and three areas which were “training sites with high risk of contamination”.



But surely, there MUST be some other reason why the site is unsuitable, wait ahhhh there it is, ONE MUST PROTECT ONES SEAT.

Residents, the foreign secretary (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/08/james-cleverly-criticises-plans-to-house-asylum-seekers-in-braintree), James Cleverly – who is also the local MP – and Braintree district council all say the site is an unsuitable place for asylum seekers.​​​​​​​

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/10/raf-wethersfield-base-essex-contamination-risks-report-asylum-centre

[langleybaston]

Ah well, if there is nowhere to put more people in such places, how about the grace and favour PM and cabinet officer's stately retreats?

And Sandringham out of season? Balmoral? Good PR for our leaders.

[woptb]

The ‘asylum plan’ (?) involves locking up anyone who arrives in the UK and claims asylum without assessing their claim, no matter who.They’ll then try to get rid of them to somewhere like Rwanda, which they cannot do, or deport them to a safe country, which they cannot do, or return them to Europe, which they also cannot do. (https://apple.news/AhLTr-zfmSs-kpR9tVBUWXw)

The key to the success of this policy lies not in domestic legislation passed in the UK but in international agreements. And that is not in Bravermen’s gift to give.It’s all bullsh1t and bluster to change the conversation away from the massive list of ongoing and prior failures.Once upon a time, it was. Before Brexit, the UK could send people back to countries they passed through on the way here. Now they cannot. It was lost when we left the EU and not one of the people in the scorched-earth (https://apple.news/A0aTo27UvR6C9dKmqj6-elQ)hard Brexit movement thought it sensible to try to secure it on the way out.

[Ninthace]

I think if I were seeking asylum, I'd show some ruddy gratitude and keep my head down. Is their punchy attitude toward this country not indicative of what the future holds? No one is questioning helping sex trafficked females or young children.......that's just the humane thing to do.......but fighting age males who then have the cheek to kick off because we're not doing enough!! How about getting some homeless ex servicemen off the streets? Why is no one saying anything about those countries that refuse to take any asylum seekers? Surely charity begins at home? Silly me, of course it doesn't!

I expect one of the reasons they kick off is they are bored and broke. There are plenty of jobs that need doing, put them to work and they can earn their keep, perhaps even pay tax and prove their worth. Those that don't want to can then be shown the door. Unfortunately, Home Office says no.

[Ninthace]

This is a national scandal. The current government [which seems not attempt to govern] was elected, inter alia, to sort the illegal immigration. In other words, to defend our borders from arrivals through unauthorised means.
As I understand it, every arrival has passed through a country in which he/she could claim asylum, so for them we are a destination of choice. What not to like?
There are not many do-gooders in the poorer parts of Kent, the do-gooders live in leafy suburbs and cosy villages.
Charity begins at home, and the poor of our country are using community larders of necessity. Our village of 700 houses has a larder that is run by the church and is in constant use, while 21 year old males posing as children with moustaches live in warm hotels, well fed and with cash handouts.
WAKE UP UK, YOU ARE BEING TAKEN FOR SUCKERS.
The first safe country argument is a myth and would be counter productive. All that would happen is the neighbouring countries would become even more overrun than they are now. Of course, it would suit the shires as they would never have to accommodate anyone, ever. If you look at the per capita claims for asylum, the UK is getting off comparatively lightly as it is. The crisis is to some extent manufactured. The government made no attempt to ramp up the immigration service to match demand or get return agreements with other countries, and even now still seems to be failing. That is why 97% of claimants have been waiting for over a year for a decision and why only a handful have been deported. At the same time, the obvious arrivals across a body of water gave the right wing press something to froth about in a way that is not possible when you share land borders with other countries.

Now we have yet another half baked headline grabbing plan being offered so that once again the government can blame its usual bogeymen when it inevitably fails, rather than setting to to clear the backlog. The only thing that is likely to stop the boats is the guarantee of a swift turn round and deportation. That requires a beefed up immigration service, return agreements with other countries and the declaration of a safe and legal route for asylum claims.

[Herod]

Ref Wethersfield, it was for many years the HQ of the MOD Police. There could be all sorts of nasty stuff lying around there.

[PICKS135]

Ref Wethersfield, it was for many years the HQ of the MOD Police. There could be all sorts of nasty stuff lying around there.
Boxes of Uneaten Crayons ?? :8

[langleybaston]

A brief light note.

The Met. Office officially-supplied crayons, Fronts, Lows and Highs for the use of, were shattered through ...... I think they were dropped at Arnhem. Plain uncoloured wood. We had a colour blind forecaster, who shaved a little off the blunt end wrote R, B, P, Y etc as relevant.
So we routinely swapped them for R = yellow, say; B = red .........

Actually not funny because all analysed charts are legal documents and must be preserved for n years. Thus a lot of huffing and puffing putting his immaculate nonsense right.

Confession is good for the soul.

[mymatetcm]

sort ASI out, bunk bed city could host a fair few, maybe FI would have some accommodation down the death star.