Bibby Stockholm: Cruel and dangerous government plan

Housing refugees and torture survivors on the Bibby Stockholm was one of the Conservative government’s cruel and hostile refugee policies. Read below for everything you need to know.

What is the Bibby Stockholm? 

In April 2023, Sunak's government announced their plans to house people seeking safety that are waiting to hear about their asylum claim, on the Bibby Stockholm – a barge docked in Portland Port.

The Bibby Stockholm previously housed refugees in the Netherlands, 20 years ago. The government says it has brought the barge back into use as part of its plan to increase offshore accommodation and reduce the reliance on hotels.

Fire risks, deadly bacteria and a mental health catastrophe: this government’s failed barge experiment is a human rights disaster. 

Why is the Bibby Stockholm a human rights disaster? 

From the outset of these plans, human rights groups, as well as local leaders and public figures have vocalised their opposition to housing refugees on the Bibby Stockholm. 

Shortly after the first 39 people were housed on the barge, the deadliest strain of Legionella Bacteria – which can cause a harmful lung infection – was found in the water on board. And people were kept on board for four days until action was taken.

Numerous legal challenges were launched against these plans, including from the Fire Brigades Union over fire safety concerns. 

It took the government more than two months to re-house people on the barge while they put further safety measures in place. But we believe no one should ever be placed back on the Bibby Stockholm, especially people who have fled war and torture.

How does this plan impact torture survivors? 

Our expert clinicians have also urged this government to rethink this use of isolated and hostile accommodation for refugees and torture survivors.  

Ann Salter, Clinical Services Manager at our Manchester Centre, said:

“For many of these people, being on the water will inevitably lead to re-traumatisation. I can state without a doubt that the use of barges as sites to house refugees who have fled war and torture is totally inappropriate. Conditions are bound to be cramped and overcrowded and may be reminiscent of the places of detention in which they were tortured, which can lead to re-triggering of the trauma.” 

“Every day we speak to survivors in our therapy rooms who describe the horror, isolation and hopelessness that they feel from being housed in these kinds of dangerous accommodations. I can’t stress enough how this is a mental and physical health catastrophe waiting to happen.” 

What’s next for the Bibby Stockholm? 

We know that housing people seeking safety on a barge is cruel, dangerous, and unnecessary. But it’s also a completely ineffective way of dealing with the unacceptable use of hotels as asylum accommodation. 

In July 2024, the government announced that the Bibby Stockholm barge will close in January 2025. The prison-like accommodation has continuously inflicted suffering on residents, including survivors of torture. Many have endured severe physical and mental health harm, outbreaks of disease, and even suicide.

Since the announcement of the barge, Freedom from Torture has been at the forefront of the campaign against this cruel and dangerous plan.

The closure of Bibby Stockholm is a massive win and a testament to the collective action of our supporters. It demonstrates that with persistent and passionate campaigning, we can make a real difference.

But, our work is far from over. We will continue to fight against any form of inhumane accommodation for asylum seekers and torture survivors. This news fuels our drive to work towards all inhumane accommodation across the UK is closed.