More than £650,000 of taxpayers’ money has been allocated to defend the use of RAF Wethersfield as a housing facility for asylum seekers in legal proceedings, as reported by The i Paper. This former military base in Essex underwent conversion into accommodation in 2023, aiming to mitigate the escalating costs associated with housing asylum seekers in hotels. However, the site has been embroiled in controversy since its opening.
The Home Office is currently facing a legal challenge in the High Court, initiated by four asylum seekers, contesting the suitability and conditions of the site. According to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the legal expenses incurred by the Home Office, paid to the Government Legal Department for this case, have reached a staggering total of £653,965 as of February 4. Notably, this figure has nearly doubled since August 2024, when The i Paper first reported that £350,000 had already been spent on the litigation.
The asylum seekers have raised concerns regarding the conditions at RAF Wethersfield, asserting that they are unlawful on multiple grounds. Their claims include that the Home Office has failed to provide dignified living standards, imposed discriminatory conditions, and inadequately screened asylum seekers for vulnerabilities before their relocation to the site, according to their legal representatives.
The court case was heard in July of the previous year, with a judgment anticipated to be announced on Friday. Advocates for asylum seekers have described the living conditions at Wethersfield as “prison-like.” While residents are permitted free movement, the site’s remote location results in limited transport options to nearby villages, compounded by heavy security and surveillance measures.
Last year, The i Paper reported that emergency medical services were summoned to the site approximately three times a week, with many calls believed to be linked to suicide attempts and self-harm incidents. Aid workers have cautioned that a “mental health crisis” is unfolding at the facility. Research conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières revealed that 74 percent of individuals seeking medical assistance at Wethersfield presented with severe psychological distress, while 41 percent reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, as well as instances of self-harm and suicide attempts.
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In March, alarming levels of legionella bacteria—which can lead to serious lung conditions—were detected multiple times at the site, prompting urgent calls for evacuation. Currently, approximately 700 asylum seekers reside at RAF Wethersfield, as the Government aims to increase capacity from around 500 to 800, despite Labour’s prior commitment to shut the site down.
Reports indicate that up to six individuals are sharing a single room, raising concerns about overcrowding and living conditions. Residents have engaged in hunger strikes and street protests to voice their grievances regarding the situation. Furthermore, there have been accounts of “almost nightly fights” occurring within the facility.
Tim Naor Hilton, the chief executive of Refugee Action, has called for the immediate closure of Wethersfield, expressing concern over the misuse of public funds in defending the site while its operators generate substantial profits annually. “People deserve to be housed with dignity, and the funds allocated for refugee protection should be redirected to local councils and communities to enhance services that benefit everyone,” he stated.
Steve Smith, chief executive of Care4Calais, criticized Labour for continuing to defend what he termed as “the indefensible” by keeping Wethersfield operational. He emphasized that a legal bill exceeding £650,000 fails to capture the full scope of the human toll associated with the Wethersfield camp. “Behind those barbed wire fences lies a mental health crisis, where self-harm and suicide attempts have become all too common. Instead of defending this situation, Labour should prioritize the health and well-being of individuals by closing the camp and integrating asylum seekers into communities,” he urged.
The Home Office has been approached for comment regarding these pressing issues.
