The first group of asylum seekers has arrived at a former military barracks in Crowborough, East Sussex, as part of a government plan to move migrants out of hotels. The Home Office expects the site to eventually house up to 500 men, a move Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defends as necessary to reduce the pressure of illegal migration on local communities. However, the decision has faced significant backlash, including weekend protests and a legal challenge from the campaign group Crowborough Shield, which accuses the government of bypassing planning laws. Local council leaders have also expressed strong objections, seeking their own legal review to determine if the use of emergency powers to open the camp can be overturned.
Date: January 22, 2026. Source: theguardian.com