(Title Image: © Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence BY-SA-2.0)
Deputy Minister without portfolio, Jane Hutt (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan), issued a statement calling for the UK Home Office to stop using the Penally military training camp near Tenby to house refugees and asylum-seekers.
The UK Government’s decision to use the camp – without prior notice to the local authority and elected representatives – has provoked protest and counter-protest for several weeks. Around 230 men who have illegally crossed the English Channel are expected to be eventually housed at the camp.
The Deputy Minister said the camp should close due to its inappropriate accommodation and the UK Home Office’s refusal to allow Covid-19 measures to be put in place beforehand.
Immigration and asylum is a non-devolved issue, but the UK Government hasn’t provided any additional funding for local services.
The Deputy Minister said: “We can be proud of the way our nation has responded to successive refugee crises, providing a warm welcome and opportunities to integrate with our communities. However, the decision by the Home Office to use the Penally military camp as a centre to house asylum seekers is the direct opposite of the Nation of Sanctuary approach.”
