Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 June 2026
Letter to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum relating to asylum accommodation 26.06.2026.pdf
From: Home Affairs Committee
Summary
The Home Affairs Committee chair writes to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 26 June 2026, raising concerns about the Home Office's announcement of three new military sites for asylum accommodation (Bicester, Barnham, Linton-on-Ouse) via press briefing rather than parliamentary statement. The letter demands clarity on consultation with local representatives, procurement processes, and why previous plans for RAF Linton-on-Ouse were revived despite 2022 cancellation.
Key findings
- Home Office announced plans for three military sites for asylum accommodation via press briefing on 25 June 2026, not parliamentary statement, violating Ministerial Code requirements.
- RAF Linton-on-Ouse site is being reused for asylum accommodation despite previous plans being cancelled in August 2022 following significant local opposition.
- Crowborough Training Camp use is reportedly being extended from one year (announced 9 June) to 2030, with no explanation of when this extension was first considered.
- Cameron Barracks in Inverness for asylum accommodation has reportedly been cancelled; committee seeks confirmation and reasoning, including whether HMO licensing requirements were overlooked in the 'stage gate process'.
- Four of five large sites announced since July 2024 are located in areas with opposition MPs and non-Labour councils; committee questions whether political balance is considered in site selection.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Alex Norris MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Home Office, Dame Karen Bradley MP, Home Affairs Committee, Clearsprings Ready Home, Speaker of the House of Commons
Notable line
“It is deeply disappointing that despite being questioned in detail on these matters by the Committee earlier this month, you gave no indication of the plans that were announced last night.”
Key Quotes
“… it would be totally unacceptable if an announcement was made in this way”
“Given the considerable public and parliamentary interest in this matter, and the requirements of the Ministerial Code to make the most important policy announcements to Parliament first, why were these plans announced via the press, and not a statement to the House?”
“Four of the five large sites the Government has announced since July 2024 have been in areas with opposition MPs, and non-Labour councils.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗