United Kingdom: The immigration watchdog, Mr. David Neal, has raised concerns about the living conditions of asylum seekers at the Manston processing facility in Kent, stating that there is a “real danger” that the facility could once again become inhumane and dangerous.

Mr. Neal, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, criticised the Home Office for failing to provide a plan for accommodating the expected 55,000 arrivals by small boats this year. He warned that the facility could become overwhelmed, similar to the overcrowding and disease-ridden situation experienced last year.

The report examined the initial processing of individuals arriving in Kent via small boats, specifically at Western Jet Foil and Manston. While the arrivals initially flowed smoothly in February, the capacity to process a large number of people within a short period of time was not in place, especially if there was a lack of available onward accommodation.

Mr. Neal expressed concerns that insufficient capacity in the accommodation estate could lead to a buildup of asylum seekers at Manston, resulting in conditions resembling those witnessed in October 2022.

Manston, initially designed to hold up to 1,600 asylum seekers for short periods, faced deteriorating conditions last autumn when the number of occupants rose to 4,000. This situation led to the spread of infectious diseases, including diphtheria, and outbreaks of violence.

While hopes were raised that overcrowding could be avoided this year through government plans to increase accommodation for asylum seekers, delays caused by legal challenges and local protests have hindered the readiness of these sites to accept individuals.

The government intends to expand the residential holding room facility at Manston, where arrivals can be detained for up to 96 hours, but this process will take several months to complete, the report stated.

Mr. Neal further expressed concern that the department may struggle to recruit and train the necessary numbers of workers to respond safely and humanely to the expected volume of small boat arrivals. This competition for eligible workers extends not only within the Home Office but also with contractors and other employers in the region.

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