Asylum

Key Updates

28 November 2025

The Highland Public Protection Group met and agreed to put in place a resilience framework to manage the local risks, given the lack of an implementation plan or details of workforce requirements or budget. Highland Council will take the strategic lead for this framework in this planning phase.

27 November 2025

Council calls for meaningful engagement from Home Office news article released.

26 November 2025

Further letter sent by the Council leader, Convener and Leader of the Opposition to the Home Secretary, requesting a copy of the implementation plan for the proposal and assurance that any proposal would be compliant with planning and licensing requirements. No response has been received.

Home Office officials indicated verbally to our officers that no arrivals would take place until January 2026, no specific contract has been signed for Cameron Barracks (though a wider facilities management contract has been agreed), and the Home Office will put in additional checks of arrivals to the UK to ensure, as far as possible, that no under-18s will travel to Cameron Barracks for placement.

13 November 2025

Council confirms letter of concern sent to Home Office regarding proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks

Letter sent by Council Leader, Convener and Leader of the Opposition. No response has been received.

6 November 2025

Special Meeting of The Highland Council on Home Office plans to accommodate asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks, Inverness.

28 October 2025

Plans to house asylum seekers in Inverness news article released.

23 October 2025

Letter sent by Council Leader to the Home Secretary. A reply was received from Alex Norris MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, on 24 November. It did not contain any new information, although it indicated there would be a phased and incremental approach to people arriving.