Home Office to open two new immigration centres

The Home Office plans to open two immigration detention centres to detain 1,000 male asylum seekers in a scheme that is projected to cost £399m ($425m). The home secretary, Suella Braverman, has indicated she will take an even harder line than her predecessor, Priti Patel, and plans to increase the use of detention.

The government currently operates seven immigration detention centres along with some short-term holding centres. Officials say they can accommodate 3,000 people. If the two new centres go ahead, they will represent a significant increase in the number of people the Home Office can lock up. The Guardian understands that the opening of the two centres is linked to the detainment of people before they are sent to Rwanda. The government is paying £120m for the Rwanda scheme – as well as an extra £20m. Officials have not confirmed the total cost of the Rwanda deal.