British PM Rishi Sunak confirms plans to house illegal migrants on ships

Rishi Sunak had outlined “stop the boats” among his five key priorities as Prime Minister

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on June 5 claimed that his plan to "stop the boats" of illegal migrants coming to U.K. shores is working as he announced plans to house them on ships to reduce pressure on taxpayer-funded hotels.

Addressing a press conference at the border town of Dover in Kent, Mr. Sunak said the first such ship will be ready later this month and two others to accommodate a further 1,000 migrants soon after.

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He pointed out that important legislation, referred to as the Illegal Migration Bill or Stop the Boats Bill, has cleared the House of Commons and will give his government the right to detain and deport migrants who enter the country illegally.

"I promised we would get illegal migrants out of hotels — and into alternative sites, including military facilities," said Sunak.

"To reduce pressures on local communities, we'll also house people on ships. The first will arrive in Portland in the next fortnight. And we've secured another two today that will accommodate another 1,000,” he said.

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