Plan to House Asylum Seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness Cancelled
The UK government has abandoned its proposal to accommodate up to 300 male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness, according to Angus MacDonald, the Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire.
The Home Office had initially intended to relocate asylum seekers to the barracks by early December and use the facility for a duration of 12 months. However, these plans were delayed before being ultimately dropped.
MacDonald stated that UK Border Security Minister Alex Norris informed him of the decision to cancel the scheme. The government had aimed to utilize the barracks as part of a broader initiative to close asylum hotels, a move that sparked campaigns both supporting and opposing the plan.
"This is the right outcome, and it is a result of the strength of feeling shown by residents, and by the military families connected to Cameron Barracks who made their concerns heard from the very start."
"There was also a strong local feeling that the site itself was simply too close to the city centre, schools and residential areas.
The sense of closing asylum hotels in town centres in the South of England while opening an Inverness asylum barracks similarly poorly located defied logic."
Context on Asylum Seekers and Accommodation in the UK
An asylum seeker is defined as an individual seeking refuge in the UK due to persecution or violence in their home country. The government is obligated to provide housing for asylum seekers who cannot financially support themselves while their claims are processed.
As of March 2026, there were 93,653 individuals residing in asylum accommodation across the UK. Approximately 22% of these, equating to 20,885 people, were housed in hotels. Hotels are typically used when there is insufficient availability of shared housing options such as houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) or repurposed military sites.
The government has committed to eliminating the use of hotels for asylum accommodation by 2029. Currently, hotel accommodations are more prevalent in southern England, whereas HMOs are more common in northern England and Scotland.
Users can enter a postcode or local council name to view the number of asylum seekers housed in specific areas.
Asylum Application Statistics and Process
Between April 2025 and March 2026, a total of 93,525 asylum applications were submitted in the UK, representing a 12% decrease compared to the previous year.
While most asylum seekers arrive via small boats, these accounted for only 42% of all asylum applications during this period. The remainder includes individuals who entered the UK through other unauthorized means or who applied for asylum legally while holding or shortly after holding a valid visa.
The asylum determination process can take several years. As of March 2026, 48,758 people, corresponding to 35,744 asylum applications, were awaiting an initial decision. This figure reflects a 55% reduction from the previous year.
Additionally, there were 87,450 refused asylum applications pending appeal outcomes in the courts, marking a 72% increase from the previous year. These initial decision and appeal cases together constitute the government’s total asylum application backlog, which it has pledged to resolve.
From April 2025 to March 2026, approximately 39% of asylum decisions resulted in refugee status being granted. Similarly, about 39% of asylum appeal cases concluded during this period overturned previous refusal decisions.
Local Reactions and Demonstrations
In early December, demonstrations occurred near the 140-year-old Cameron Barracks located in Inverness city centre. One rally was organized by Highlands Against Hate, a group supporting refugees arriving in Scotland, while another involved supporters of the anti-illegal immigration group Peterhead United.
Highland Council identified a potential complication in the plans, noting that the barracks would likely require licensing as a house of multiple occupation (HMO). HMOs are properties rented by at least three unrelated individuals sharing bathroom, toilet, and kitchen facilities. Licences for HMOs can last up to three years.
In March, Highland Council reported initial discussions with the Home Office regarding HMO licensing but indicated that no formal licence application had been submitted.
Government Position and Other Sites
The UK government has previously expressed frustration over the number of illegal migrants and the use of asylum hotels. Elsewhere, asylum seekers have been relocated to Crowborough training camp in East Sussex.
A spokesperson told BBC Scotland News earlier this year:
"This government will close every asylum hotel.
Work is well underway, with more suitable sites, such as military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.
We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery."
The Home Office has been contacted for comment regarding the Inverness barracks plan.
It is important to note that entering the UK without permission is an offence, although international law stipulates that refugees should not be penalised for illegal entry.
