The government has said it will continue plans to reopen an immigration removal centre in Gosport that's been closed for nearly a decade.

Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) closed in 2015 before initial plans for the Dolphin Way site to reopen as a prison in 2016 were axed by ministers.

The former Conservative government confirmed it would reopen Haslar, and yesterday Labour set it would continue.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has signalled she will press ahead with the previous government's plan to reopen the site, producing around 200 jobs in the Gosport area.

She announced the Border Security Command “is gearing up” after the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats topped 19,000 this year so far.

The Labour government has pledged “290 added immigration removals” beds at Haslar, as well as Campsfield House in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

According to the Home Office, ministers have set their sights on achieving over the next six months “the highest rate of removals of those with no right to be here, including failed asylum seekers” since 2018.

A person who is not allowed to remain in the UK can be taken to any country or territory where they will be admitted, using existing legislation.

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In September last year, a planning application submitted on behalf of the Home Office sought permission to knock down two of the buildings said to be in “in poor condition and no longer fit for purpose,” at the Gosport-based immigration removal centre.

Planning documents said the building was being refurbished so that it is fit for purpose when it reopens as an IRC.

Gosport Conservative MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, visited the site in December 2023 to see the redevelopment of the site, which saw delays after asbestos was found.

Speaking in January 2024, the Gosport MP said: “I am tired of the site rotting away at public expense.

“The refurbishment is high quality, and I now look forward to the planned reopening at the end of this year and the 200 jobs it will bring to our peninsula.”