Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what they expect the cost to be of (1) converting RAF Linton so that it will be suitable as a large-scale reception centre for 1,500 asylum seekers, (2) running such a large-scale reception centre, and (3) accommodating 1,500 asylum seeks in hotels; and whether they plan to publish estimates of the capital and running costs of RAF Linton as a large-scale reception centre alongside a cost-benefit analysis.

The sharp increase in small boat crossings and the pandemic has meant increased use of contingency accommodation to meet our legal duty to provide accommodation to destitute asylum seekers, which is costing the UK taxpayers almost £5million a day, every day.

The Home Office is looking at proposals to establish a new asylum accommodation centre at RAF Linton-On-Ouse, North Yorkshire. This would support our response to the increasing pressures on the UK asylum system.

Ministers have not taken any final decision to accommodate asylum seekers at RAF Linton. Should it be progressed, the site would provide safe and cost-effective accommodation to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute

We will be able to assess value for money once we have received firm bids for the provision of the service, but we anticipate being able to generate cost savings.

It would not be appropriate to comment further while planning is ongoing.