The Home Office has come under fire for allegedly wasting £15 million of taxpayers’ money on a contaminated migrant camp in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. According to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the Home Office hurriedly acquired the Northeye site, which was later deemed unsuitable for its intended purpose due to contamination, including asbestos.
The purchase of the site was shrouded in controversy, with the Government department allegedly overpaying for the derelict prison. The vendors initially acquired the site for around £6.3 million in August 2022, but the Home Office completed the sale in September 2023 for approximately £15.4 million, more than double the original price. This decision-making process was criticised by campaigners and lawmakers alike, branding it as a “fiasco” and accusing the Home Office of wasting public funds.
The pressure to find alternative housing for migrants, following a pledge by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak to cease housing asylum seekers in hotels, led to the rushed acquisition of the Northeye site. The NAO’s report highlighted that the Home Office deviated from standard practices and failed to conduct proper due diligence, resulting in significant shortcomings in the decision-making process.
Subsequent reviews revealed high-risk contamination on the site, primarily from asbestos-containing materials, with estimated repair costs exceeding £20 million. Despite these red flags, the Home Office proceeded with the purchase and announced plans to use the Northeye site to accommodate 1,200 migrants. The watchdog’s report underscored the need for adherence to minimum standards and due diligence, especially during times of intense pressure.
The chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, condemned the Home Office’s actions, emphasising the need to prevent such mistakes and avoid wasting public funds in future acquisitions. Charities like Asylum Matters expressed dismay at the alleged disregard for caution in the decision-making process, calling for a more thoughtful approach to housing migrants and ensuring value for taxpayers.
In response to the NAO report, the Home Office acknowledged the challenges inherited from the previous government but reiterated its commitment to ending the use of hotels and providing more suitable and cost-effective accommodation for asylum seekers. The department highlighted efforts to improve the asylum system and increase the number of individuals removed from the country since July 2024.
As the fallout from the Northeye site acquisition continues, questions remain about the future use and benefits of the controversial camp. While the Home Office reassesses its strategy, stakeholders, including lawmakers and advocacy groups, emphasise the importance of transparency, diligence, and value for money in handling asylum accommodation issues to avoid similar costly missteps in the future.