Inverness Cameron Barracks Asylum Seeker Housing Plan Scrapped, Says MP

Proposals to accommodate up to 300 asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness have been withdrawn, Member of Parliament Drew Hendry has announced. Mr Hendry stated that the Home Office confirmed the site is no longer under consideration for housing.

This decision follows significant local opposition to the plan, which was initially raised by Conservative councillor Ryan MacKintosh in June. He expressed reservations regarding the suitability of the barracks for such a purpose.

The Ministry of Defence site had been identified by the Home Office as a potential location to house male asylum seekers. The UK Government is actively seeking alternative accommodation solutions to reduce its reliance on hotels, which currently cost the taxpayer approximately £6 million daily.

A Home Office spokesperson indicated a continued effort to find suitable sites across the UK for accommodation, whilst noting that specific locations are not commented on until formal plans are in place.