A 'significant' number who had refused to board have changed their minds, the immigration minister says.
A "significant" number of asylum seekers who had refused to board the Bibby Stockholm have now changed their minds about moving to the barge, the immigration minister has told the BBC.
"We have written to those individuals who have so far declined to travel and, as I understand it, a significant proportion of them have already changed their minds and agreed to move," he said.Mr Jenrick said there was "not a menu of options" for those seeking state-funded help. Bibby Stockholm is the flagship of the government's latest plan to "stop the boats" and deter dangerous Channel crossings by migrants. Men aged 18-65 will live on the vessel while they await the outcome of asylum applications.
An Afghan asylum seeker aboard the barge, whom the BBC is not identifying, said: "The sound of locks and security checks gives me the feeling of entering Alcatraz prison.
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