Plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Scampton axed

Plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire have been scrapped.

The decision has been made by the Home Office after it found the site was not value for money for the taxpayer and would have cost a total of £122m by the end of its use in 2027.

The former RAF station, which was home to the Dambusters and Red Arrows, had been earmarked by the previous government to accommodate migrants.

Dame Angela Eagle MP, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, said faster asylum processing, increased returns and tighter enforcement of immigration rules "will reduce demand for accommodation like Scampton and save millions for the taxpayer".

Labour MP for Lincoln Hamish Falconer added: "I've done as I promised.

"From the day the Conservative government announced their intention for Scampton, I've fought this disastrous scheme.

"The costs revealed today are disgraceful. The news delivered is excellent news for Lincoln and Lincolnshire."

It was announced in March 2023 the site would be turned into a business, aerospace and heritage centre following the decision to relocate the Red Arrows display team to RAF Waddington, also in Lincolnshire.

However, weeks later the Home Office announced plans to use the site as an asylum centre.

Residents have been campaigning for the plans to be scrapped.

Sarah Carter, of the Save Our Scampton campaign group, told the BBC it was “amazing news”.

She added: “I want everyone to feel how I feel right now.”

Addressing those who supported the campaign, Ms Carter said: “Thank you for all the hard work you have put in, the people that were manning the gate, manning the [protest] camp, petitioning and supporting us.”