Migrants who refuse to accept a bed on the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge should be forced to “make their own way” according to political commentator Carole Malone.
It comes amid a threat suggesting migrants face losing their benefits should they refuse to accept a bed on the barge.
According to the Express, Home Office caseworkers were told they “must take steps” to cancel asylum seeker support should they opt against boarding the vessel in Portland, Dorset.
Some 50 Channel migrants are believed to be staying on the Bibby Stockholm, with more expected this week.
Carole Malone lashes out at migrants refusing to board the Bibby Stockholm vessel
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Migrants unsatisfied with the conditions they find on the barge and turning down accommodation as a result should be forced to deal with the consequences, Malone said.
“Robert Jenrick was brilliant on this, he said ‘people who come here and are granted asylum are then entitled to proper benefits and should be working’,” she said.
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“You’ve got to get settled and get a job, if you don’t want to do that, then go back. I think the Government is getting tough on this.
“Bibby Stockholm cost the Government £500,000 to get into the order it was demanding.
“If a migrant who is supposed to be fleeing war and persecution doesn’t like it, make your own arrangements.”
The Express reports 15 migrants have been evicted from hotels for refusing to travel to the Bibby Stockholm.
The 93-metre-long Bibby Stockholm will come under Home Office controlBibby MarineGovernment guidance means migrants will be left without access to cash and free accommodation should they not board the vessel moored in Portland, Dorset.
Those refusing to leave their hotel accommodation will be treated as “trespassers” in what appears to be a toughened stance from the Government.
Local councils are concerned there will be a surge in homeless migrants as hotel contracts set up for them to house migrants continue to be cancelled.
Local authorities could be forced to house migrants in the hotels the Government has announced it is barring from being used.
Guidance sent to Home Office staff said: “If a supported person fails to take up the offer of accommodation on the vessel after the 5 working days, support will be discontinued, in line with a breach of conditions of support.
“ The individual will no longer be able to access Home Office accommodation and will not be able to access subsistence (cash) support.
“The Home Office will take reasonable steps to notify them that their support has been discontinued.
“This notification will explain that their actions have resulted in them being unable to access support.
“Where an individual fails to travel to their accommodation, caseworkers must take steps to discontinue the support.”
A Home Office source said: “We’re getting migrants out of hotels and onto the barge which is perfectly suitable accommodation.
“If they don’t want to go on, then their support will be stopped - it’s as simple as that. Like it or lump it.”