UK’s first military barracks housing asylum seekers closes after six years

The GuardianThursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:21:21 PM
UK’s first military barracks housing asylum seekers closes after six years
  • The Napier barracks in Folkestone, the UK’s first military facility used to house asylum seekers, is closing after nearly six years of operation. The barracks faced numerous challenges, including protests from far-right groups and serious concerns regarding the safeguarding of residents.
  • The closure of Napier barracks signifies a shift in the UK government's approach to asylum accommodation, which has been criticized for its reliance on military facilities as alternatives to hotels, often deemed unsuitable by advocates for asylum seekers.
  • This development reflects a growing public discontent with the government's asylum policies, as evidenced by recent protests against plans to relocate asylum seekers to other military sites. Additionally, reports indicate a troubling rise in refugee homelessness in the UK, highlighting systemic issues within the asylum support framework.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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