Controversial migrant barge arrives in Portland, sparking clashes and debate

A barge named Bibby Stockholm, intended to house 500 single male asylum seekers, has docked in Portland Port, Dorset, amid protests from local residents and human rights groups. The arrival of the barge coincided with the progress of the government's Illegal Migration Bill, which aims to outlaw asylum claims via illegal routes and transfer them to third countries. The government argues that using vessels as alternative accommodation for asylum seekers is cheaper than hotels, but opponents criticize the conditions and consider it inhumane. The barge will house adult males in the latter stages of their asylum applications for approximately three to six months.