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Manston migrant centre: What are the problems? Manston migrant centre: What were the problems?
(17 days later)
Manston Airport detention centre in KentManston Airport detention centre in Kent
More than 2,000 migrants have been moved from the Manston processing centre in Kent, following concerns about conditions there. The Home Office says there are currently no people being accommodated at the Manston migrant processing centre, which is a holding site for people who arrive in the UK in small boats.
During the autumn, thousands of people had been placed in tents there, leading to overcrowding and disease.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been criticised over the running of the site, which local Conservative MP Roger Gale said had been "overwhelmed".Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been criticised over the running of the site, which local Conservative MP Roger Gale said had been "overwhelmed".
Manston migrant processing centre cleared
What is Manston migrant centre?What is Manston migrant centre?
Manston, a former military base in Kent, opened as a processing centre in February 2022, for the growing number of migrants reaching the UK in small boats.Manston, a former military base in Kent, opened as a processing centre in February 2022, for the growing number of migrants reaching the UK in small boats.
Migrants are meant to be held there for short periods of time while undergoing security and identity checks. Migrants were meant to be held there for short periods while undergoing security and identity checks.
They are then supposed to be moved into the Home Office's asylum accommodation system, which often means a hotel - due to a shortage of available accommodation. They were then supposed to be moved into the Home Office's asylum accommodation system, which often means a hotel.
Some go to immigration detention centres if the government believes it has a case to remove them.Some go to immigration detention centres if the government believes it has a case to remove them.
On 26 October, the Home Office said: "The aim was to run a site that had between 1,000 and 1,600 people passing through it every day, and that all of those checks would be completed in under 24 hours. For a large part of this year, that is exactly how it was operating".On 26 October, the Home Office said: "The aim was to run a site that had between 1,000 and 1,600 people passing through it every day, and that all of those checks would be completed in under 24 hours. For a large part of this year, that is exactly how it was operating".
What are the problems at Manston? What were the problems at Manston?
On 31 October, there were around 4,000 migrants at Manston, according to Mr Gale.On 31 October, there were around 4,000 migrants at Manston, according to Mr Gale.
Some migrants have been held for longer periods of time because of an apparent lack of alternative accommodation. Some migrants have been held for longer periods because of an apparent lack of alternative accommodation.
An official inspection of the centre in July found that "the length of detention was far too long, often more than 24 hours and sometimes far in excess of this".An official inspection of the centre in July found that "the length of detention was far too long, often more than 24 hours and sometimes far in excess of this".
Picture of some of the Manston facilities from inspection in July 2022 by HM Prisons InspectoratePicture of some of the Manston facilities from inspection in July 2022 by HM Prisons Inspectorate
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration David Neal visited the camp on 24 October and said there were 2,800 migrants there on that day. Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration David Neal, who visited the camp on 24 October, said there were 2,800 migrants there on that day.
He told MPs: "I spoke to an Afghan family who had been in a marquee for 32 days."He told MPs: "I spoke to an Afghan family who had been in a marquee for 32 days."
He reported that migrants were being guarded by untrained custody officers and said: "What is really concerning and alarming is that the numbers, as described, are clearly outstripping the capacity of the site."He reported that migrants were being guarded by untrained custody officers and said: "What is really concerning and alarming is that the numbers, as described, are clearly outstripping the capacity of the site."
There have also been a number of cases of diphtheria at the centre. There were also a number of cases of diphtheria at the centre.
Lucy Moreton, head of the Immigration Services Union - which represents some staff at Manston - told the BBC's Today programme: "Staff face on a daily basis sit-down protests, being shouted at ...improvised weapons are always being found ...no prison in the UK has over 4,000 people uncontained, face-to-face with those who are responsible for controlling them." Lucy Moreton, head of the Immigration Services Union, which represents some staff at Manston, told Today on BBC Radio 4 on 27 October: "Staff face on a daily basis sit-down protests, being shouted at... improvised weapons are always being found... no prison in the UK has over 4,000 people uncontained, face-to-face with those who are responsible for controlling them."
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Manston remains resourced and equipped to process migrants securely and we will provide alternative accommodation as soon as possible." A Home Office spokesperson responded: "Manston remains resourced and equipped to process migrants securely and we will provide alternative accommodation as soon as possible."
On 7 November, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told MPs that the number of migrants had been reduced to below 1,600.On 7 November, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told MPs that the number of migrants had been reduced to below 1,600.
On 19 November, a man who had stayed at Manston died in hospital. An investigation into his death has been launched.
On 22 November the Home Office said everyone staying at Manston had beenplaced in alternative accommodation.
What was the role of Suella Braverman?What was the role of Suella Braverman?
The Times reported on Saturday that Ms Braverman was told at least three weeks ago that migrants, including families, were being held at Manston for four weeks, putting the government in breach of the law. The Times reported on 30 Octoberthat Ms Braverman had been told at least three weeks before that migrants, including families, were being held at Manston for four weeks, putting the government in breach of the law.
The BBC has been told that she was warned that the government was breaching statutory duties by failing to sign off on ways to immediately move people to hotels or alternative accommodation. The BBC has been told that she was warned that the government was breaching statutory duties by failing to sign off on ways to move people to hotels or alternative accommodation immediately.
Braverman was warned about migrant overcrowdingBraverman was warned about migrant overcrowding
The BBC has spoken to sources familiar with the situation. One source said there was "crystal clear" advice that the government was not acting within the law. One source familiar with the situation told BBC News there was "crystal clear" advice that the government was not acting within the law.
Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, told the Today programme that "the law is very clear that we shouldn't hold people for more than 24 hours". Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told Today on BBC Radio 4 that "the law is very clear that we shouldn't hold people for more than 24 hours".
Ms Braverman told MPs: "On no occasion did i block hotels or veto advice to procure extra and emergency accommodation." Ms Braverman told MPs on 31 October: "On no occasion did I block hotels or veto advice to procure extra and emergency accommodation."
She said that since 6 September 2022, deals with 30 hotels had been agreed and 9,000 migrants had left Manston, with many heading to hotel accommodation.She said that since 6 September 2022, deals with 30 hotels had been agreed and 9,000 migrants had left Manston, with many heading to hotel accommodation.
Why is there a backlog? Why was there a backlog?
At the end of June 2022 there were almost 100,000 asylum claims waiting for an initial decision from the Home Office.At the end of June 2022 there were almost 100,000 asylum claims waiting for an initial decision from the Home Office.
One reason for the increased backlog - which is two and a half times higher than at the end of 2019 - is the rise in number of asylum applications. One reason for the increased backlog - which is two-and-a-half times greater than at the end of 2019 - is the rise in number of asylum applications.
In 2021, there were 48,450 applications, compared to 63,089 so far in 2022. Large increases in small boat crossings have driven this trend. In 2021, there were 48,450 applications, compared with 63,089 so far in 2022. Large increases in small boat crossings have driven this trend.
A Home Affairs Committee report published over the summer said that "antiquated IT systems, high staff turnover, and too few staff are among the reasons for this slow pace".A Home Affairs Committee report published over the summer said that "antiquated IT systems, high staff turnover, and too few staff are among the reasons for this slow pace".
The asylum backlog has left thousands of asylum seekers waiting in short term accommodation - such as hotels - which is costing the government around £5.6m per day.The asylum backlog has left thousands of asylum seekers waiting in short term accommodation - such as hotels - which is costing the government around £5.6m per day.
The pressure in the asylum system worsened during the pandemic as people were prevented from being moved on to long-term accommodation because of the lockdown.The pressure in the asylum system worsened during the pandemic as people were prevented from being moved on to long-term accommodation because of the lockdown.
The Home Affairs Committee reported that in September 2021,13,000 asylum seekers were living in hotels. The Home Affairs Committee reported that 13,000 asylum seekers were living in hotels in September 2021.
Tough asylum cases handled by new Home Office staff, say insiders
What about other migrant centres?What about other migrant centres?
The government uses another site in Kent - Western Jet Foil - as a processing centre where initial checks take place.The government uses another site in Kent - Western Jet Foil - as a processing centre where initial checks take place.
Earlier this year, a processing centre was due to open in the Yorkshire village of Linton-on-Ouse. The proposal was scrapped after opposition from the local Conservative council Earlier this year, a processing centre was due to open in the Yorkshire village of Linton-on-Ouse. The proposal was scrapped after opposition from the local Conservative council.
There are currently seven immigration removal centres located across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland which hold people who are about to be removed from the UK. There are currently seven immigration removal centres located across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which hold people who are about to be removed from the UK.
However, some migrants have been sent here upon arrival when there is no space at processing centres. However, some migrants have been sent to them upon arrival when there is no space at processing centres.
Other types of detention centres - such as short-term holding centres - are based in Manchester and Northern Ireland.Other types of detention centres - such as short-term holding centres - are based in Manchester and Northern Ireland.