Campaigners call for Treasury probe into asylum centre costs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 11:32 · Archive

Campaigners opposing an asylum centre at Linton-on-Ouse have called for a Treasury investigation, claiming it could cost taxpayers £270m.

The Linton-on-Ouse Action Group has written to the Chancellor demanding a full financial review before public money is used to convert the former RAF base on the edge of the North Yorkshire village into accommodation for asylum seekers. The group questions whether the project represents value for money.

Campaigners claim the proposed centre could cost between £443 and £853 per occupied bed per night, depending on occupancy levels, significantly more than the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels. Their financial modelling estimates the scheme could cost £270.9m over a 23-month operating period, compared with a hotel benchmark of £144.98 per bed per night.

The Home Office says its plan to close asylum hotels and move people into alternative accommodation is saving taxpayers money. Campaigners are particularly concerned that the site may have to be returned to the Ministry of Defence by July 2029, a deadline yet to be confirmed. They argue this could leave the centre operating for considerably less than three years once preparation, phased occupation and decommissioning are taken into account. The group recognises the government's responsibility to provide asylum accommodation but says 'replacing one expensive accommodation model with another potentially more costly one is not in the taxpayers' best interests'.

Campaigners call for Treasury probe into asylum centre costs — Image: BBC York And North Yorkshire

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How it is being reported

Asylum centre could cost £270m, campaigners claimThey say the plans for Linton-on-Ouse would represent poor value for taxpayers.BBC York And North Yorkshire · 16 Oct, 11:07
Calls for Treasury probe amid claim asylum centre could cost taxpayers £270mCampaigners fighting plans for an asylum centre at Linton-on-Ouse have called for a Treasury investigation.The Press (York) · 16 Oct, 07:54

In this story: Linton-on-Ouse Action Group · Home Office · Linton-on-Ouse · Ministry of Defence

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