Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has expressed his disapproval of the Home Office's plan to use the former RAF Scampton as an asylum centre, housing up to 2,000 asylum seekers.

Starmer believes that such a decision should have the consent and consultation of the local community.

The government's proposal to repurpose RAF Scampton has faced significant opposition. Earlier this year, a £300 million deal was struck to transform the site into a business, aerospace, and heritage centre—a development seen as beneficial to the local economy. Starmer argues that using the site for asylum seekers would disrupt this plan.

While acknowledging the need to address the asylum issue, Starmer emphasized that tackling criminal gangs facilitating illegal border crossings should be a priority. He criticized the government's handling of the situation, stating that only 1% of those arriving via small boats in the past year had their asylum claims processed.

A judicial review of the Home Office's plans for RAF Scampton is scheduled for the end of the month. Protests against the proposal have taken place, with historians expressing concern about the site's historical significance related to the Dambusters squadron.

West Lindsey District Council previously issued a temporary stop notice on Home Office work at the site, but there are reports that work has continued despite this notice. The Home Office has not confirmed or denied these reports.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service indicated that local councillors expected the arrival of the first wave of up to 50 asylum seekers at Scampton as early as next week.

Overall, Sir Keir Starmer's criticism highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of RAF Scampton as an asylum centre and the importance of community consultation in such decisions. Photo by Chris McAndrew, Wikimedia commons.