Linton-on-Ouse: Any asylum seeker accommodation will be well managed and secure, says Chancellor John Healey

The Linton-on-Ouse Action Group has criticised Asylum and Immigration Minister Anna Turley following a House of Commons debate in which she defended the Government’s proposals for the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse base.

The group says the minister’s comments demonstrate a lack of understanding of the site’s location and has called for her replacement.

The Government is proposing to accommodate around 1,200 single adult male asylum seekers at the former military base, which is situated alongside the village of Linton-on-Ouse, near Easingwold.

Campaigners say the village has approximately 600 adult residents and 100 children, meaning the proposed centre would accommodate twice as many asylum seekers as the village has adult residents.

When asked what his message was for the residents of Linton -on -Ouse who are concerned about the plans for the centre, Mr Healey said : "I understand the local concerns. Any developments there will be well managed and will be secure but this is part of a commitment at the election that the public wanted us to make and backed us to do and that is closing all the asylum hotels around the country.”

Speaking while attending AES Engineering in Rotherham to help the company launch a new environmental innovation, Mr Healey said: “We're already closing some, numbers are down, we're also cutting to a six year low the number of small boat crossings but developing alternatives for those asylum seekers that do arrive here; processing those claims more quickly and, as we are, removing those who have no right to stay means that we have to develop alternatives. Linton on Ouse will play a part in that and we will close the asylum hotels across the country."

Mr Healey also told The Yorkshire Post that in the Budget he had provided a boost for business investment, innovation and apprenticeships and fresh backing for business founders and the fastest growth firms.

He added: "And also new powers in the hands of local leaders; like our mayors in West Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire and also in South Yorkshire here.

"I announced two things that will be developed first here in South Yorkshire, one is the new local apprenticeship service the other is the new AI partnerships to try and make sure we can make the most of the AI revolution to come."

A review into young people and work, carried out by former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, is due to conclude later this month.

Labour ministers have faced criticism for their handling of the jobs market, with 13% of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neet) in April to June this year.

Earlier in the year, between January and March, the number of Neets aged 16-24 topped a million for the first time since 2013.

On the issue of Neets, Mr Healey said: “There is the announcement I made last week in the Budget for a new local apprenticeship service which is really a downpayment on a big report that will come out later this month from Alan Milburn that will point to the million youngsters in this country who over the last few years have been out of work, and not in education or not in training. For me, that is something we have a moral duty to fix.

"I set out in the Budget, a schedule of the action we will bring; there will be new policy plans and legislation next year in order to give those youngsters an opportunity to fulfil their potential but also to contribute as the youngsters here are doing.. in South Yorkshire."

When asked whether this could mean changes to benefits or cutting taxes, he said: "First, I don't want to get ahead of Milburn (report). The Government will set out a response to Milburn and another big report this month from Stephen Timms. We will set out policy plans early in the New Year and legislation to follow. But both the Prime Minister and I have said in the long run we must bring the benefits bill down. What we won't do is set an arbitrary timetable for bringing the bill down because that too often has involved in the past crude cuts that pile extra costs elsewhere in the system.”

He also outlined how the Government was helping people with the cost of living.

"Everyone's feeling it; they are feeling it at the pumps. They are feeling it with their bills. They're beginning to feel it also in higher monthly mortgage payments,’’ he said.

"When I made decisions in the Budget, I was really conscious of this. I decided we will give a £100 direct payment into the bank accounts of 20 million households just to help with their energy bills from January when the pressures are greatest.

"I'm extending also the 5p cut off fuel duty because people are paying high prices at the pumps. I'm extending the cut in tax on electricity bills and also next year we're removing the standing charge on gas bills which is something people feel quite strongly about when they have to pay over £100 a year irrespective of how much gas they use."

“I'm dead proud that in that period of global energy crisis, of international conflicts and also huge uncertainty and upheaval in the bond markets the British economy has been relatively resilient. I'm proud that Britain has beaten growth forecasts this year and I want to see us go on and do the same next year. I've put measures into the Budget to boost growth."

He highlighted how devolution could boost growth.

"You've seen from South Yorkshire's mayor and mayors across the country a recognition that for the first time the fiscal devolution - devolution of tax revenues.. this will give them the confidence to be able to bring extra private investment to get big projects off the ground.”