Keir Starmer will face Prime Minister’s Questions after revealing that hundreds of asylum seekers will be moved to military sites, including a site in Inverness.
The Highland Council said it was notified Cameron Barracks would be used to house around 300 asylum seekers on a phased basis from December for up to a year.
It comes after the Home Office confirmed on Monday that two barracks, in Scotland and southern England, will be used to house around 900 men in total as the UK Government aims to end the use of hotels to house people awaiting decisions on their asylum claims.
Highland councillors have since raised concerns over “community cohesion” given the scale of the plans on a “relatively small community”.
Local Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald added that the site was “not an appropriate location to house a large number of migrants”.
“There is a risk that this causes major upheaval in the city centre while only housing a tiny fraction of the numbers awaiting processing,” he said.
Local MSP Fergus Ewing said he has had “numerous messages” of “deep concern” from constituents since the news broke.
“Many constituents have told me they are particularly worried about the proposed accommodation of several hundred men in such a central location, close to residential areas,” he said.
“They are especially concerned for safety of women and girls. These concerns are about safety and community capacity – not prejudice – and they must be taken seriously.”
Spending on the plan could also prove to be higher than housing migrants in hotels, defence minister Luke Pollard signalled on Tuesday morning.
However, Downing Street suggested that moving asylum seekers into military barracks would be the correct move, even if it costs more than using hotels, because it will help quell public discontent.
The Prime Minister is like to face questions and criticism for his Home Office plans.
PMQs will be broadcast from the House of Commons at midday on Wednesday.
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