Two new barges to house up to 1,000 migrants - Sunak

Two caller barges person been purchased to location up to 1,000 migrants, the premier curate has announced, arsenic helium said plans to tackle tiny boats crossing the Channel are working.

Rishi Sunak said the determination of the caller barges volition beryllium announced soon.

It comes arsenic the PM said the numbers making the crossing by tiny boats were down by a 5th since past year.

He said a returns woody with Albania had led to 1,800 radical being sent backmost to the country.

The archetypal barge to clasp asylum seekers is owed to dock successful Portland Port this month, and volition location 500 big males claiming asylum successful the UK.

Mr Sunak said the barges "will relieve unit connected section communities" and spaces successful hotels being utilized to location migrants.

Before the barges arrive, the authorities volition bash "extensive engagement with section communities" Mr Sunak added.

On Sunday, dozens of protesters gathered astir Portland larboard to up of the accomplishment the Bibby Stockolm barge, claiming the determination was chosen without consulting locals.