Pro-migrant Stand Up To Racism group mount opposition to housing asylum seekers on former MoD site

A pro-migrant campaign group in Oxfordshire has launched a petition opposing Government plans to house asylum seekers on a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site.

The Oxford branch of Stand Up To Racism is calling on locals and community groups across the county to oppose the proposal, which is to house 1,250 asylum seekers in Bicester.

It argues the plans risk turning the town into a target for far-Right demonstrations and an attempt from the Government to appear tough on immigration in response to Reform UK's rising popularity.

Ian McKendrick, vice-chair of the group, said the plan was "inhumane" and amounted to "a desperate bid to win votes and to divert people's anger away from the government's failure to address the decades of cuts and austerity the majority of people have had to endure".

He warned isolating asylum seekers in basic accommodation far from amenities would "give the far-right and racists yet another target for intimidation".

In a post on Facebook, the group said the proposal "will give the far-right and racists yet another, even bigger, target for intimidation, just like their frequent far-right marches outside hotels accommodating asylum seekers and a similar ex-MoD camp near Crowborough".

The group added: "Bicester should not be turned into the racist capital of Oxfordshire with repeated violent demonstrations organised by the far-right."

Mr McKendrick drew a direct historical comparison to a previous attempt to use the same Bicester site in 2002.

In a similar proposal, a surge of activity was triggered from right-wing groups, including the National Front and the British National Party.

A related plan to house 750 asylum seekers on an MoD site near Bicester was ultimately cancelled in 2005 after improvements in processing asylum claims reduced the need for long-term accommodation.

The group's central argument is a large isolated camp does nothing to address the underlying problem it claims to solve.

Mr McKendrick said: "Scapegoating refugees only stirs up hate. It won't build a single house, or improve anyone's wage or solve the NHS waiting lists."

The campaign notes asylum seekers currently receive less than £10 a week in support while their claims are processed, often for extended periods, during which they are legally barred from working.

The group argues money earmarked for the new camp would be better spent on processing the existing backlog of claims more efficiently.

It suggested the money should be used to process people's legal status faster rather than housing them indefinitely in isolated accommodation.

The Bicester proposal comes amid a fiercely contested national debate over asylum accommodation.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has separately announced asylum seekers will be required to repay up to £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation once they begin earning, modelled loosely on student loan repayments.

The payment will take the form of a flat-rate charge, with eligible adults paying off an amount each month above a set threshold.

Ms Mahmood described the cost of asylum seekers to the British taxpayer as "too high".

She said: "We have already reduced asylum costs by £1billion, but it is also right that we ask those who can contribute to do so.

"Receiving asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility.

"Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so."

Those liable for the cost who leave the UK will be made to pay in full if they want to come back at a future date, the department added.

Oxford Stand Up To Racism's petition remains open, with the group urging residents to formally object before any decision is confirmed.