The Medway Labour and Co-operative Group have expressed deep concerns over the news that the Home Office is proposing to use Anchorage House to accommodate migrants seeking refuge.

Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group said: “The Home Office has simply failed in its basic role as a government department. It is completely unacceptable that the Home Office’s strategy to deal with this seems so uncoordinated and spontaneous. We can’t have vulnerable people being placed either in an airfield or as we have seen just left in the middle of London with no support. The suggestion from the Home Office of using Anchorage House, a building that we have fundamental concerns with, is completely flawed. “

Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Culture and the Environment said: “There are question-marks around the safety of Anchorage House itself as the most recent redevelopments were not subject to official planning procedures. We know that this building is not fit for purpose and will need considerable investment to make it suitable.”

Cllr Clive Johnson, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “Anyone familiar with children’s services in Medway will know that the children’s services budget and staff are under huge pressure at the moment. It’s still unclear whether children are going to be amongst those housed at Anchorage House but, if they are, the Conservative government must step up and help provide the funding Medway needs.”