WIRRAL Council's leader has condemned plans to house as many as 1,800 asylum seekers on a ship moored at Seacombe docks as "inhumane and unworkable".

According to reports, the government is considering plans to house 1,800 refugees on a vessel in the area around the Wirral Waters regeneration project.  

Wirral Waters is a large-scale £4.5bn development currently being built by the Peel Group.

The infrastructure and property investment business, based in Manchester, has confirmed it will only go ahead with plans following engagement with the local council.

Wirral MPs have condemned Home Office plans With Wirral Council leader Cllr Janette Williamson agreeing with her Labour colleagues. 

Cllr Williamson said: “This is an ill-thought-out plan by an incompetent government who have no idea on how to tackle the problem.

"It is not acceptable to maroon up to 1,800 vulnerable people on a ship without sufficient infrastructure nor budget to support them, and expect them to remain there until their claims are processed - which, if recent government performance is anything to by, could take years.

"There has been no consultation with the community, or with me as leader of the Council.

"The Immigration Minister couldn't even be bothered to pick up the phone to talk it through. This is how little regard the Tories have for the people of Merseyside, let alone the people who'll be on that ship.

"This government has stripped our public services of funding to the point that many Wirral residents can’t get an NHS dentist, or a timely appointment to see a doctor. Mental health services are in crisis.

"There is simply not the infrastructure to support this vessel being moored here. Furthermore, and as importantly, the welfare of the 1800 males has not been considered.

"These are vulnerable people who do not deserve to be imprisoned on a ship for nearly two years.”

Labour deputy leader and Seacombe councillor, Paul Stuart, added: "It is grotesque that the UK conservative government is planning to place 1,800 young men on a boat docked up in one of the most deprived parts of Wirral.

"Given the statement provided by Peel Ports, they have seemingly been in discussions with the government about this proposal before the government informed us about what is effectively a floating prison here.

"Our residents are kind, caring and sympathetic to the plight of these vulnerable people. However, they are already struggling to obtain the essential services they need because of the incompetence of this government.

"Adding an additional 1800 people in an already densely populated area will add more pressure on already decimated local services.

“The government and Peel ports need to rethink this inhumane and inappropriate proposal.”

A spokesperson for Peel Ports said: “We have provided a berth for a vessel accommodating refugees in Glasgow for the last year and this has worked well thanks to the willing participation of the local authority and their collaboration with the vessel’s management team and the port operations.

"We have similar port infrastructure available in Birkenhead that can be provided for the same purpose.

"We have been clear throughout discussions that this model can only work successfully with the full engagement and support of the local authority and other relevant stakeholders."