Labour Mayor quizzed by Nick Ferrari on 'abhorrent' housing conditions migrants endure

9 June 2023, 10:46 | Updated: 9 June 2023, 11:05

Nick quizzes Labour Mayor of Newham over housing refugees on barges

By Anna Fox

Stark opposition has been voiced against the government's plans to house refugees on a barge in the Royal Docks, as housing stock across the UK dwindles.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Labour Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz emphasised how refugee services are “stretched”.

Continuing, the Labour Mayor said: “Our voluntary sector partners are busting a gut to support these families”.

She added: “We don’t have the housing stock” to accommodate refugees.

Their conversation arose as a plan by the government to house asylum seekers in a "cruise ship" style giant barge next to London City Airport.

Rishi Sunak revealed earlier in the week that two more giant vessels will be used for migrant accommodation and they have since been confirmed to be passenger liners.

They will house up to 1,000 migrants between them but the ships’ names remain unknown, according to the Mail.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

Caller Barry proposes refugees arriving in UK should be ‘put to work’

Ms. Fiaz stated how the government needs to think “more intelligently” and “provide the resources for better suitable accommodation”.

READ MORE: Plans for asylum seeker barge near Sadiq Khan's office at London's Royal Docks are sunk

When quizzed by Nick as to a possible solution to the issue, the Mayor of Newham said: “It’s not just about accommodation it’s also about the impact on service provision.

“It begs the question of why the government is looking at vessels as a means to accommodate”.

Nick replied by saying: “You are very good at the opposition but with respect, you're not coming through with suggestions”.

The Royal Docks management authority (RodMA), the Mayor of London's office, Newham Council and London City Airport have all formally expressed strong opposition.

Read more: Heathrow workers announce strike action for almost every weekend from mid-June to the end of August

The Home Office declined to comment on the plan.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

'Our wombs are owned by Westminister': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women going through baby loss

'Our wombs are owned by Westminster': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women experiencing baby loss

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s prison escape?

Nick Ferrari Challenge: Can LBC’s Henry Riley recreate Daniel Khalife’s dramatic prison escape?

Exclusive
Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari - the last remaining British citizen being held hostage in Gaza - has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to help bring her daughter home as she looked back on the harrowing events of October 7.

'It nearly broke my heart': Mother of British hostage Emily Damari blasts Downing Street over vetoed Gaza deal

Exclusive
Jane Rubens, 73, from Edinburgh was hit by a large vehicle in early November and remains in a coma.

Insurance firm gave Brit 'less than 24 hours' to make a decision against doctors’ advice after mum suffered brain injury

Exclusive
LBC’s Nick Ferrari has remembered being spiked while at a party.

‘The whole world was spinning’: Nick Ferrari candidly recalls drink spiking as he shares 'appalling' side-effects

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 'hasn't changed her mind' and will vote against assisted dying bill

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector