Opposition from local groups led to "inhumane" plans to house asylum seekers on a vessel in the Mersey being axed.
Yesterday (June 10), Sky News reported that Peel had pulled out of the government's plans to berth a barge to house asylum seekers in the vicinity of the Wirral Waters regeneration project in Birkenhead. Peel, who operates the waters, were said to have rejected the plans, leading to them being scrapped.
Peel had previously said that it would only proceed with the plans with full engagement from the local council. The company has now said it could not see a scenario where local agencies would support the berthing of such a vessel in the Mersey.
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As a result, it is understood the government is no longer considering the Merseyside location in its plans.
A spokesperson for Peel Ports told the ECHO: “Our position on providing a berth for a vessel accommodating asylum seekers remains unchanged. We have consistently said throughout the process that whilst we could provide the berth, it was dependent on the necessary support from the local agencies. Last week, we simply observed that we could not see any conceivable scenario where the local agencies are going to be able to provide the necessary support to make this solution work. Peel Ports remains committed to fulfilling its full statutory obligations to provide access to any vessel, provided it can do so safely and securely, and it has the available infrastructure.”
The PA news agency understands the Home Office, following the response by Peel Ports and other agencies, is no longer considering using the site as a potential location.
After the news emerged yesterday, Wirral Council leader Paul Stuart tweeted saying there had been a "team effort" between Wirral Council's senior officers, leadership and the region's MPs - Mick Whitley, Angela Eagle, Margaret Greenwood and Alison McGovern - to oppose what he described as an "inhumane proposal".
In a full statement sent to the ECHO yesterday, Cllr Stuart said: “When the Home Office initially contacted Wirral council, they proposed a large vessel to accommodate 1,500 Single Adult Males (SAMs). However, the vessel had a capacity of up to 1,800.
"They had not even done their research. The vessel was too large for our docks. They then proposed two smaller vessels with the potential for even higher capacity. The idea that as many as 2,000 asylum seekers, people fleeing persecution and torture, would be marooned on barges, effectively prison ships, is immoral and inhumane.
"After 13 years of central government cuts, our residents are already struggling to access essential services; waiting lists to see a GP are over a month long, no access to dental care, and hospital waiting lists are at an all-time high. We do not have the resources to provide wrap-around support on this sort of scale.
"Wirral Council Officers, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, our health partners and Peel Ports have engaged with the Government for several weeks, expressing concerns that this proposal was unworkable and dangerous.
"Now that Peel Ports have said no to the Government and the Government seems to have backtracked, I want to thank all those involved for their dedication and hard work. It is a testament to the commitment of all involved.
"However, the Government are yet to confirm if this “source” is correct. I will await the official announcement from the Government confirming they will not be imposing this on Wirral residents.
"Councils across the country, including ours, are willing to play their part in addressing this difficult national issue. Indeed, Wirral is already doing so. However, the Home Office is in utter disarray, and they know this knee-jerk policy is simply unworkable.”
A number of politicians and protesters across the region have stated their opposition to the barge plans in the months since they emerged.
In April, Mick Whitley, Angela Eagle, and Margaret Greenwood, the MPs for Birkenhead, Wallasey and Wirral West, issued a joint statement, which said: “We owe a duty of care towards those who come to the UK fleeing conflict and persecution.
"Instead, this government is abandoning its responsibilities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people claiming asylum in the UK. Government policy is now being driven by a sense of wanton cruelty without any intention of trying to secure positive outcomes for those involved.”
Additionally, on June 6, protesters from Heart4Refugees, Asylum Link Merseyside, and Asylum Matters gathered outside the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool while a meeting was being held by Peel Ports. Protesters said they wanted to put pressure on the company to oppose the plans altogether.
When the news of the plans being scrapped broke yesterday, those who had opposed them shared their relief and a desire for a different approach.
Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley tweeted: "Having lobbied both the government and Peel on this issue extensively, I'm pleased that these plans have been axed. Ministers need to get serious about tackling the backlog and start treating vulnerable asylum seekers with respect - including by allowing them to seek paid work."
Responding to the news, Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South, said: "Good. And we need action to clear the backlog, proper support for refugees, and for the Home Office to work with local authorities, not against them."
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