Rutland could see 2,200 immigrants housed at St George's Barracks, near North Luffenham.

Ex-military bases across the UK are being considered as housing alternatives for asylum seekers by the Home Office, it has emerged, as PM Rishi Sunak vows to end the housing of approximately 51,000 refugees in hotels.

According to The Times, officials at the Home Office are looking to locate at least 25,000 migrants in disused crown properties, including one in Rutland.

The North Luffenham location would be one of the largest sites proposed, in one of the smallest counties.

Some Rutland residents have taken to social media, highlighting that the move would be provide "value for money - use the excess government property that allows them safety and the ability for border force to process them as quickly as possible."

Others, however, have said: "we have the elderly that have served their country that are sat at home worrying about turning the heating on or using electric. Isn't it about time we looked after our own!?"

St George's Barracks is set for closure in 2026, and could house 2,200 immigrants and would cut the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels, a bill currently totalling £6 million per day.

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