Leanne Palk News Today

The Home Office had said the first asylum seekers would be moved to the Bibby Stockholm this week.

Basic beige rooms with metal bunk beds, disconnected TVs that will never be turned on and long corridors - this is what the inside of the Bibby Stockholm looks like....

It is unclear exactly when the Bibby Stockholm barge will start being used in Portland, Dorset, as the Government aims to slash hotel bills.

Each asylum seeker will only stay on the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland for a maximum of nine months, a Home Office representative has said.

Fifty people are expected as part of the first group of asylum seekers to arrive on the Bibby Stockholm before numbers are steadily increased to about 500 by the autumn.

A further 291 migrants were intercepted on Thursday according to government figures taking the number to cross the Channel to more than 1,100 in just three days.

Up to 500 asylum seekers staying on the Bibby Stockholm will be able to do activities such as play cricket in the Dorset countryside as the Home Office believes arranging trips will prevent disorder.

First 50 migrants due to take up places on the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, next week

Johnny Mercers comment about new Selby and Ainsty MP Keir Mather continues to generate reaction; Rishi Sunak indicates hes sticking to his guns despite the Tories losing two by-elections and securing a narrow win in a third.