UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his assurances that the historical RAF Scampton site, located near Lincoln, will not be used for the accommodation of asylum seekers. The decision arises from ongoing debate about potential use of military sites to alleviate the need for hotel housing for migrants. RAF Scampton, once the base for the famed Dambusters squadron, had previously been proposed for this purpose by the preceding Conservative government. However, this was overruled by the current Labour administration in September of the previous year. Prime Minister Starmer reinforced the importance of approval from local communities and deemed the previously proposed plans ‘disrespectful’.
During a recent interview with the BBC, Prime Minister Starmer renewed his criticisms of the former government’s delay in processing asylum cases. Concurrently, Luke Pollard, the Defence Minister, has not dismissed the potential use of military sites such as RAF Scampton for housing. However, local authorities remain optimistic about the future of the site. West Lindsey District Council unveiled a development plan in March committed to evolving the area into a centre for business, aerospace, and heritage which promises economic growth and job creation for the community. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, voiced optimism over the Prime Minister’s reassurances, expressing hope for advancement in redevelopment plans.
Local campaigner Sarah Carter, of the Save Our Scampton group, however, is remaining vigilant, citing past fluctuations in government policy. Carter insists that she needs direct guarantees from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Minister Pollard before fully trusting the intentions of the government. She has stressed that the community continues to be alert and ready to oppose any potential revival of plans for using the site to house asylum seekers.
