Asylum seekers at the Crowborough Training Camp former military site in East Sussex (Picture Marcin Nowak/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Home Office has announced it is expanding the use of military bases to house asylum seekers, with three new sites set to open up in England.
Barracks are considered a less problematic alternative to hotels for accommodating those who have arrived in the UK to seek asylum, while their claims are assessed.
However, they are not without controversy, with questions over cost and their suitability from people on both sides of the immigration debate.
A plan to house asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness has been shelved, the local MP confirmed on Thursday, after outcry from locals and politicians.
Advertisement
Now, the Home Office has confirmed it is seeking planning permission for MOD Bicester in Oxfordshire; MOD Barnham in Suffolk; and MOD Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire.
In addition, the use of Crowborough in East Sussex and Wethersfield in Essex is being extended until 2030 and beyond 2027 respectively.
Everything is changing, all the time
Cut through political noise and understand how the Westminster chaos actually affects your life with Metro’s politics newsletter Alright, Gov? Sign up here.
Advertisement
Wethersfield is also being expanded to allow 1,200 more bedspaces for people awaiting a decision on their asylum claim.
The expansion in the use of military facilities across the country was announced alongside the closure of 20 asylum hotels, including the Bell Hotel in Epping which became a focal point for protests last year.
Advertisement
Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said the number of hotels used for this purpose had ‘more than halved’ from its peak of 400, with just under 170 currently active.
He said: ‘Instead, we’re moving asylum seekers into ex-military sites that are a far cry from the hotels the last government left us with.
‘This is a system being brought back under control – and we will not stop until the job is done.’
According to the Home Office, the closure of these hotels – alongside a further 11 announced in April – will save taxpayers £170 million this financial year.
Advertisement
Asylum costs as a whole have fallen by almost £1 billion, the department said.
The total number of people claiming asylum in the UK is also down 12% compared to last year, following the sharp rise that came with the end of the Covid pandemic lockdowns.
A red cross painted over a sign at Epping’s Bell Hotel (Picture: Carlos Jasso/AFP)
However, the use of military sites has been criticised by groups including the Refugee Council, which said the new announcement was ‘storing up problems for the next Prime Minister by repeating policies that failed in the recent past’.
The Council’s Director of External Affairs Imran Hussein argued the government could lower costs by ‘housing people in communities and improving Home Office decision-making’.
There are currently around 7,000 more asylum seekers living in dispersal accommodation – meaning flats or houses in communities around the country – than at the time of the 2024 general election.
Advertisement
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, meanwhile, said the Labour government ‘should be putting illegal immigrants on a plane home rather than messing around with military camps and hotels’.
He said: ‘Only the Conservatives have the backbone and the plan to leave the ECHR and end the lawfare that blocks removals, so every illegal immigrant can be deported.’
Offers of help were made by various governments, including the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X that the United States is “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela”.
Jeremy P Lewin, the US undersecretary of state for foreign assistance, said the State Department had mobilised a disaster assistance team and task force to organise aid in co-ordination with the interim Venezuelan government.
Ms Rodriguez said that Qatar had already sent rescuers who were expected to arrive within the next day, along with rescue personnel from Mexico and El Salvador.
Advertisement
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, once diametrically opposed to Venezuela’s government, said in a post on X that he had offered aid. “We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,” Mr Bukele wrote.
A damaged building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira State(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A murder investigation has been launched after a child’s body was discovered in Chertsey (Picture: UKNIP)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a child was found at a Surrey property.
Police swooped on an address in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey around 5.40pm following concern for her safety.
Officers found a three-year-old girl dead inside the semi-detached home.
A 31-year-old man was found suffering a serious injury at the property.
Advertisement
He was arrested on suspicion of murder taken to hospital and will be taken into custody once he has been treated.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking Newsalerts the moment it happens.
Advertisement
Surrey Police rushed to the scene of the death (Picture: UKNIP)
A Surrey Police spokesman said: ‘At this stage our enquiries lead us to believe that this took place within a family setting and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.’
The Senior Investigating Officer from the Major Crime Team said: ‘This is a tragic incident, and our officers are working hard to build a picture of what happened.
The arrested man sustained a serious injury and was taken to the hospital (Picture: UKNIP)
‘We have made an arrest in connection with this incident and at this stage, we are not looking to identify anyone else in connection with our investigation.
‘We have no reason to believe there is any risk to the public.’
‘There is a significant police presence in Pyrcroft Road and this will remain over the coming days.
‘We appreciate that the incident itself, as well as the significant police presence, will be concerning for local residents and we would like to thank them for their cooperation as we conduct our investigation. We will provide further updates as soon as we are in a position to.’
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police found a three-year-old girl dead inside a semi-detached home in Surrey on Thursday June 25
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a child was found at a Surrey home.
Advertisement
Police rushed to an address in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey around 5.40pm following concern for the young girl’s safety. At the scene officers found a three-year-old girl dead inside the semi-detached home.
A 31-year-old man was found suffering a serious injury at the property, he was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder.
A force spokesperson said: “A murder investigation has been launched after a child’s body was discovered in Chertsey earlier this evening (25 June). Officers were called to an address in Pyrcroft Road around 5.40pm following reports of a concern for safety. On arrival, a three-year-old girl was sadly found dead inside the property.
Advertisement
“A 31-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder. He was taken to hospital with a serious injury and will be taken into custody once he has been treated.
“At this stage our enquiries lead us to believe that this took place within a family setting and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. An investigation, led by Surrey Police’s Major Crime Team, is underway to establish the circumstances of the girl’s death.”
The Senior Investigating Officer from the Major Crime Team said: “This is a tragic incident, and our officers are working hard to build a picture of what happened. We have made an arrest in connection with this incident and at this stage, we are not looking to identify anyone else in connection with our investigation. We have no reason to believe there is any risk to the public.”
“There is a significant police presence in Pyrcroft Road and this will remain over the coming days. We appreciate that the incident itself, as well as the significant police presence, will be concerning for local residents and we would like to thank them for their cooperation as we conduct our investigation. We will provide further updates as soon as we are in a position to.”
Advertisement
If you have any information which could help our investigation, please contact us via direct message quoting PR/SYP-20260625-0759. If you do not wish to leave your name, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The council also defended the ‘failed’ pothole repairs
Peterborough City Council has rubber-stamped plans to carry out highway repairs to road surfaces across the city that have deteriorated due to extreme weather.
Advertisement
At a Cabinet meeting held on June 23, the council approved a works order of £1 million to the authority’s highways partner, M Group, to carry out a series of jobs aimed at treating roads within the council’s boundaries. Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Transport, noted how extreme weather is having a “major effect” on the condition of Peterborough’s highway surfaces.
“It is vitally important that we act now,” he said, “and by agreeing this positive programme of works, we will help ensure that our highways are in an excellent condition for all road users and prevent key routes having to close in future.”
Some headlines have appeared in the press recently questioning the quality of M Group’s pothole repairs elsewhere across the Eastern region. During discussion, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Cllr Neil Boyce, asked councillor Ellis: “What warranty we hold with M Group over works that they’ve done?”
Cllr Boyce posed the question after stating: “We’ve recently had issues with road surfaces that have been resurfaced failing within 12 months.”
Advertisement
Cllr Ellis replied: “Resurfacing works carried out through the M Group contract are subject to a ‘Defects Period’ – any issues due to poor construction during this time would result in the contractors having to return to make good.”
Cllr Ellis added that the Defects Period lasts for a year. The Cabinet Member for Transport then invited James Collingridge, Service Director for Property, Infrastructure and Highways to elaborate on why some roads are more likely to need re-fixing more frequently than others.
Mr Collingridge explained that roads – especially those in rural areas – built on peat soils are far more prone to undulations (potholes) reappearing within 12 months of initially being repaired. Being roughly 80 to 95 per cent water makes peat highly compressible, so it continuously expands, contracts, and shifts with weather changes, creating voids beneath the tarmac which ultimately lead to buckling, cracks, and large craters.
“[Follow-up repairs] are not always due to poor workmanship,” the Service Director noted: “It’s due to the issues we’ve got with the peat soil.”
Advertisement
Mr Collingridge said first-hand inspection is the best way to determine the actual cause of re-appearing potholes in rural areas: “Where we have a Defects Period, we go out and we would assess whether it is due to poor workmanship or whether it is due to the actual underlying issue.”
Funds for this project were approved as part of the council’s budget for 2026/27, with £1 million allocated to repair roads that have suffered from the effects of drier winters and warmer summers in recent years.
Officers arrived at the scene on Tulip Avenue, Kearsley, just before 1pm on the afternoon of Thursday, June 25, with residents reporting seeing what looked like six police vehicles.
They say this is not the only incident they have seen recently of police activity on the cul-de-sac.
An eyewitness said: “I heard shouting a few minutes beforehand, but then suddenly around six police vehicles descended on the cul-de-sac.
“Within moments the street was packed with officers, including armed police.”
Advertisement
Officers on the scene (Image: Public)
He added: “There’s been a lot of police to same address last few weeks, like a lot.”
Images from the scene show police vans parked up around Tulip Avenue as officers went about their work on Thursday afternoon.
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Moon briefly aligns with Mars in Taurus, making communication easy and potentially bold. Go with your gut today.
Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn, said communication doesn’t have to be with others. Tune into your inner world and conversations.
Keep focused, and results will shine. Go get what you have your mind set on.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Friday June 26, 2026.
Advertisement
Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.
To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
Just over a year ago, Jupiter, the planet of fortune, moved into a more nurturing, family and property-oriented placement. However, at that time, Saturn, the planet of limits, slowed down the benefits it could bring. Ironically, as Jupiter heads to the exit, your ruler, Mars, supercharges it, and finally, in these very areas, the things you first hoped for can come to life.
Today is a fabulous opportunity to share your ideas. They can land well, and people can be responsive to your practicality and desire to get things done. Yet with the Moon briefly going face-to-face with Mars in Taurus, you might get a bit frustrated if things don’t flow as fast as you’d like but do trust you’ll make an impact. Socially, too, things can spark well, Taurus.
Your financial situation has been supported all month, but have you felt the impact? Sometimes our personal cycles don’t quite gel with the heavens as we’d like – usually when we are going through big changes. However, on a project or idea that you have painstakingly and quietly applied yourself to, a breakthrough is possible, and it can prove to be validating.
I wouldn’t say you will feel invincible today; you’d know that would be a stretch. You could though feel invigorated, and this can give you the get-go to take on the day with confidence and determination. With the expansive Jupiter, near to completing his thirteen-month journey through your sign, it can be a fine chance to reflect on what his visit has meant to you.
Soon enough the fabulous energy of the planet of fortune, Jupiter, will move into your sign. His movement through the sign of Cancer has likely given you a much greater appreciation of your own inner resources and the power of healing. With the confident energy of Mars connecting to him today, you can find yourself more comfortable with sharing what you’ve learned.
Your gift is managing processes. You often grapple with details with consummate ease. The planets, however, have been pushing you to broaden your approach and to be more adventurous. Today is a point in case with supportive friendships, travel plans, and exciting new ideas all in the mix. The finer points do still matter, but it’s your vision that counts most.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Whilst the planets can create the conditions for success, it’s what we do that decides the outcome. Some of your ambitions may not have come to pass in the last year, but what has changed is that you have likely fine-tuned what it was that was important to you. And being aligned with this has likely led to some breakthroughs of late, with another possible now.
With the Moon travelling through your sign, it’s a reminder to stay in touch with your personal perspective. There could be one brief pinch point of tension, but it can soon be resolved by the fine vibe between your ruler, Mars, and the noble Jupiter. This can help to forge constructive alliances, sign off on a deal, or firm up a travel plan with a friend or partner.
Although you may feel a little quieter today, you can take great pride in several things you have achieved recently. All sorts of transformations have been occurring at a practical, organisational, physical, and even psychological level. Take time to celebrate these and acknowledge your progress. As the Moon glides into your sign later, know things will speed up.
There’s a fine chance to enjoy yourself today. The key is giving yourself permission to do so. If you have had a busy week, the allure of a quiet night in can be strong, but chances are, if you venture out, you can have a pleasurable time. Friends can be keen to meet up, but if you do have a date night, connecting emotionally can be as powerful as any attraction.
Very soon, two mighty celestial players, Mars and Jupiter, will both end their journeys through less than exciting parts of your horoscope, but will arrive in two very positive arenas. So, if you find yourself caught up in more mundane affairs, even if being productive, do know that by the start of next week, a scintillating new phase will shape up for you, Aquarius.
You can express yourself with additional conviction. And there may also be some lighter, more playful moments. If you sometimes find it harder to put your feelings into words, this will be less of an issue, and if there is someone that you are keen to impress, just let things flow naturally. This is where the North Node in Pisces can help, urging you to trust the process.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.
Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
The budget airline has announced a shake-up affecting new bookings from today, with some families now having to wait until check-in to find out where they will be sitting.
While Ryanair says children will still be seated beside a parent or accompanying adult free of charge, families who do not pay to reserve seats are likely to be allocated places towards the rear of the aircraft.
The move comes after scrutiny of airline seating policies and criticism from consumer group Which?.
Advertisement
What is changing for Ryanair seating policy?
Under the revised policy, families who choose not to pay for seat reservations will receive their seat allocations after checking in.
Previously, Ryanair’s family seating policy provided greater certainty earlier in the booking process.
Parents who want to choose where they sit, including securing seats near the front of the aircraft, can still pay a reservation fee.
Ryanair says children will continue to sit next to an accompanying adult free of charge.
Advertisement
Why has Ryanair changed the rules?
The airline says the move aligns its family seating policy with industry standards used by many European carriers.
However, consumer group Which? claims the changes only came after pressure from regulators.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “It was never fair to charge parents to sit next to children as young as three.”
Families may end up at the back of the plane
Ryanair has warned that passengers using the free seating allocation are more likely to be placed in rows towards the rear of the aircraft.
Advertisement
That’s because seats at the front are often reserved by passengers willing to pay extra.
Families wanting specific seats or premium locations will still need to purchase seat reservations.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary criticised regulators and suggested the airline was being forced to abandon what he described as a more consumer-friendly system.
He argued that Ryanair’s family seating policy had been popular with customers and gave families greater certainty than some rival airlines.
Advertisement
But he confirmed the airline would make the changes rather than continue its dispute with regulators.
Recommended reading:
What does it mean for holidaymakers?
For most parents, children should still be seated next to them at no additional cost.
However, families who do not pay to choose seats may now have to wait until check-in to find out exactly where they will be sitting.
Advertisement
The changes apply to bookings made from today, June 25, onwards and come just as millions of Britons prepare for summer holidays.
Consumer groups say they will be closely watching how the policy works in practice to ensure families are not separated or pressured into paying extra charges.
The UK is bracing for further hot weather on Friday, following a week of record-breaking temperatures across all parts of the country.
Highs of 36.7C (98F) were provisionally recorded in Merryfield, Somerset on Thursday, while it was also the hottest day of the year so far in Wales (35.9C), Scotland (31.2C) and Northern Ireland (30.8C).
A red weather warning for extreme heat will be in force on Friday, covering areas including London, Oxford, Sussex and Kent.
Bare-knuckle boxer Callum Kerr was handcuffed by police on board the Jet2 flight, but died a short time after.
20:46, 25 Jun 2026Updated 21:44, 25 Jun 2026
An airline has released a statement after a boxer died after he was restrained by passengers on board a chaotic flight.
Father-of-three Callum Kerr and his girlfriend had boarded the Jet2 flight from Larnaca in Cyprus to Manchester, England on June 21.
Witnesses told how he became ‘disruptive’ during the flight after reportedly drinking alcohol beforehand.
Advertisement
Police said officers were called to Manchester Airport at 2.25am on Monday, June 22, after reports of a man ‘behaving aggressively towards passengers and crew’.
It was reported he had been restrained by others passengers before police boarded the aircraft.
Police boarded the flight to find Mr Kerr ‘being restrained by passengers and aircrew at the rear of the plane’, reports the M.E.N..
The force said officers used handcuffs to detain him, but ‘quickly identified he was unresponsive, through the provision of first aid’.
CPR was commenced and he was taken to hospital, where he died on Tuesday afternoon (June 23).
Mr Kerr, from Warrington, was 35 and a father-of-three.
In an update issued on Thursday, Greater Manchester Police said it had made a mandatory referral to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Advertisement
In a statement, the force said two reports of an assault – on a passenger and a member of cabin crew – were made.
Jet2 has now issued a new statement following the incident.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware that a customer has sadly passed away, having been taken to hospital earlier this week.
“We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the customer’s friends and family. As investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.”
Mr Kerr has now been formally identified. In a statement issued through police, his family said: “Callum was a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold.”
GMP said the IOPC was ‘investigating the actions of our officers’, while detectives from its Major Incident Team were investigating the circumstances on the flight.
Advertisement
Mr Kerr was not under arrest. No arrests have been made.
The police watchdog said its investigation would ‘look at the actions and decision-making of the officers involved to understand the events surrounding the man’s death’.
If approved, the development would create over 200 jobs
A Cambridgeshire village could get 80 new homes if plans go ahead, but locals have raised concerns. Martin Grant Land Limited proposes to build up to 80 homes on land at Pendrick Close in Coton, approximately two miles west of Cambridge.
Advertisement
The plans, submitted by Stantec, on behalf of Martin Grant Land Limited, also propose a new public open space as well as a play area. They want to build the homes to help “meet the needs of the residents which would also be of benefit to existing local residents”.
If approved, the development would create over 200 jobs, including apprenticeship opportunities. Local businesses are also expected to benefit from the development.
The application said: “Future residents would also contribute towards local spending to the benefit of business in Cambridge. The site would therefore contribute to expansion of the local economy.”
The proposals have been slammed by locals who said it would add “unsustainable pressure” to services. A number of objections have been lodged so far.
Advertisement
One local said the proposals would be an “absolute nightmare” for property owners and tenants in the area. They added: “Not only will we have to suffer the noise and dust that is inevitable but as a result of the building plans we will be denied the peace and tranquillity and also benefits for future generations.”
Other concerns were raised about the “strains” on the infrastructure of the village, “much of which is designed for a community smaller than the current one”, an objector stated.
The local added: “With the addition of yet more houses, this will be under greater strain.”
Meanwhile, another stated that the local primary school is “already operating close to full capacity” and an additional 80 homes would place “unsustainable pressure on the school and exceed its ability to accommodate further pupils”, the local said.
Advertisement
The objection added: “The GP surgeries serving Comberton and Eversden are already operating at or near capacity. This development would place further strain on essential healthcare services that are currently unable to meet existing demand.”
A resident described Coton as a “dead end village” with “narrow roads of which the narrowest is the roadway leading to the plot for which planning has been asked to build up to 80 houses”.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login