THE government is making “final preparations” to house asylum-seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge, despite the fire service expressing serious concerns over its safety, Downing Street said today.

Campaigners have already voiced outrage at the plans as the Home Office are expecting to send an initial group of people to the site in Portland, Dorset, tomorrow.

But according to the Times, there are serious fire safety concerns about the vessel and fire service approval has not yet been granted.

One source told the newspaper of fears that the vessel could become a “floating Grenfell.”

The news follows plans to move 2,000 people into RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire being delayed until October due to problems in carrying out surveys of the 14 buildings designated for migrant accommodation.

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it has provided “advice and comment” to the Home Office and the site’s operators and is prepared to “exercise our enforcement powers” if necessary once the barge is put into service.

Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary Ben Selby said that, unlike the government, “fire does not discriminate.”

He told the Star: “Forcing asylum-seekers into accommodation that has not been properly fire risk-assessed is a reckless approach to the safety and well-being of both vulnerable refugees and firefighters.

“The Home Office has declared that this plan is a cheaper option for housing asylum-seekers.

“This is a damning indictment of the prevailing attitude that saving money is the highest priority, with people’s lives treated as collateral damage.”

Migrant Voice director Nazek Ramadan said that the government’s disregard for the safety aspect of using barges was “disturbing,” adding: “The Dutch authorities specifically stopped using the Bibby Stockholm for detaining those seeking asylum due to safety concerns.

“Instead of heeding that warning though, this government has doubled the number of people it proposes to place there.

“We need the government to stop focusing on headline-grabbing performative cruelty and start focusing on creating an asylum system which works effectively, processes applications faster and provides protection to those who need it.”

Freedom from Torture associate director of advocacy Natasha Tsangarides said: “Time and time again, this government have shown their utter contempt for people fleeing torture, war and persecution by housing them in accommodation that is unsafe, undignified and totally inappropriate.

“Once and for all, the government needs to give up these cruel plans, and instead make sure that survivors of torture are housed in communities, with proper access to healthcare and support, and a real chance to rebuild their lives.”

Refugee Council head of communications and campaigns Mark Davies said: “The appalling handling of the backlog of cases — a combination of chaos and cost entirely of the government’s own making — is leading to dreadful situations such as these.”

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants campaigns and networks manager Mary Atkinson said: “Instead of flailing around with ever more cruel and unworkable tactics, the Home Office must abandon its plans to house people seeking safety in barges, support local authorities to house people in their communities and help communities to welcome their new neighbours.”

Refugee Action chief executive Tim Naor Hilton said: “While these demoralising and brutal mass holding sites come at an enormous human cost, the private firms contracted to run them trouser huge profits that run into tens of millions of pounds.

“The housing system must be overhauled and local authorities and NGOs properly funded to run an integrated housing, support and legal advice service.”