Cruise ship M/S Ambition has been chartered for six months and is located at King George V docks on the River Clyde.

The ship has the capacity to host up to 1,750 people in 714 cabins, and, as with the arrangements for the M/S Victoria I at Leith, families will be accommodated according to their needs.

I went along to watch the arrival today, you can see that video posted below.

The Scottish Government say that people on board the vessel will have access to restaurants, child play facilities, shops, cleaning and communal spaces.

“They will be free to come and go from the ship, as with any other temporary accommodation. Partners will now work to put in place measures around safeguarding, health and safety, public protection and waste management to ensure that the ship is ready to welcome people. This will also include work to provide guests on board with access to appropriate support services, including healthcare and benefits support.”

Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray said:

“The Scottish Government is providing accommodation that is safe and sustainable while people are waiting to be matched to suitable longer term accommodation. The arrival of the M/S Ambition in Glasgow is a key part of that provision which means we are providing sanctuary to more displaced people per head of population than any other part of the UK. We are working closely with the council and other local partners to finalise plans for how the ship will be used, with safeguarding of the people on board being the absolute priority.

Now that the M/S Ambition has arrived, this work will begin at pace and people will move on board once the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council are satisfied that the necessary preparations, including health and safety checks, have been satisfied. We do not want people spending more time in temporary accommodation, such as the cruise ships, for any longer than is absolutely necessary. We continue to take significant action to increase our temporary accommodation capacity as well as boosting our matching system to maximise the number of people who can be placed with volunteer hosts who have completed the necessary safeguarding checks.”

Passengers will join and leave the ship via shuttle bus services which will run 24 hours a day.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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82 COMMENTS

  1. Sounds like a better idea for illegals, one stationed in the channel as a processing centre and policing hub would make more sense than sending people to Africa.

    • In California i think it’s illegal to refer to people as “illegals” or “aliens” and must now be called either refugees or migrants. CA is truly now a leftist, socialist state. Ugh.

      • Wow, imagine having to refer to groups of human beings with a dignified name. It must make it harder to think of them as cattle.

      • Indeed, here in the UK the Home Office and Border Force dropped the term illegals some years ago. They are now referred as Clandestines.

        • Refer to them what they are. Economic migrants. Whatever, it is illegal and they should be removed at the 1st opportunity if entering on a boat, dingy, back of a lorry until a case is proven to remain.

          UK population now 67 million and rising quarter of a million a year. That is a city the size of Birmingham every 4 years.
          Throughout most of my life it was I recall 56 or 58 million.

          Totally unsustainable.

          • Yep, and the number of times I’ve been called “Racist” by the loony left for stating these facts. Sick to death of it, so was Nigel.

          • If you think about the numbers that came in from the Afghanistan withdrawal plus the number of displaced Syrians that we took in as part of our refugee program of vulnerable people (both peoples that rightly needed help) then add on the record numbers crossing the channel I’m amazed that we haven’t got tented camps set up to cope with all of this. Economic migrants should be sent straight back to their country of departure. I’m afraid the longer this continues then more extrem measures like the Rwanda program will be playing a part in our national strategy especially if Liz gets the job in the big chair.

          • Hi Emp.

            That’s your privilege. And I will never forgive the Labour government from 97 on to 2010 who had an open borders unlimited mass immigration policy to a, “rub the rights noses in diversity” and b, try to get elected for eternity thinking these migrants would vote for them, fuelling their fan base.

            As for the EU, all Farage did was give a voice to the resentment and issues building regards the EU for decades.

            Maybe if governments had listened and not continuously ignored people’s concerns, from everything from free movement to the other behaviour of the EU such as their wish for a superstate then Farage would not have had the platform he did which so many millions of us, myself included, voted for and in my case actively campaigned for from 2014 on.

            Farage did not constantly use “Queens prerogative” to pass through every EU treaty without vote, despite concerns of many. HMG did.

            And yet when it came to leave, everything had to be voted on. How ironic.

            And people had had enough.

            What has BJ done to our country? Despite being a prat unable to take the responsibility of being PM seriously to cut out his cavalier behaviour? What policies of his do you disagree with?

          • Leaving the EU was the wrong solution to a real problem. Emblematic of really poor leadership in my opinion.

            The decision has weakened us, perhaps permanently.

            We’re all going to be a lot poorer for the rest of our lifetimes. To keep things on topic, that means shrinking defence budgets.

            You’ll notice of course, even leavers aren’t happy with the outcome.

            That’s pretty infuriating. No one has won.

            PS Farage didn’t just give voice to resentment, he also fuelled it.

          • Joining was a criminal deception, we were assured by all involved that we were only joining a common market free trade agreement. By the way the average Briton became on average 18% WORSE off when we joined the EEC as we lost access to the Commonwealth markets. almost over night the costs of foods and essential rose on average 18%. Ted Heath and Harold Wilson assured the country that the rises would be temporary. They were not. Another bunch of lies and deception by the Europhiles.

          • I remember when they were trying to sell it to the British public at the time saying the average saving on the weekly shop would be £5. Yeah right.

          • You are incorrect. When we joined the EEC that’s what we joined. The EU came later.

            You’re entitled to be against it but don’t distort the facts by calling it a criminal deception.

            Also, we are far more prosperous now than we were when we joined the EEC. And we had no option to keep the EEC arrangements only. It was the EU or nothing.

            We chose nothing.

            I suspect we will go back to being poorer. Inward investment is down, the pound has lost value and exports haven’t increased as would be expected given the price of our currency.

            If defence budgets end up being cut to the bone you will know why.

            We will see but from what I can tell no one is happy.

          • Ah, you read The Express.

            You’re the one that’s been conned.

            And, as Mark Twain famously said, ‘It’s easier to con a man than convince him he’s been conned.’

            Oh well, its done now. Is it everything you hoped it would be?

          • Yep, as the Guardian commented this morning on our exports to the EU:

            Goods exports from the UK to the EU reached £16.9bn in May, the highest level since figures started in 1997. 
            https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/04/it-was-a-brexit-export-champion-now-kent-brewery-has-one-eu-customer-left

            Good things eventually come to those who wait.

            Still plenty of adaptation to the new world to do, however. IMO it was always going to be 10 years before we see the actual results.

          • I think some of the issue BJ has created are going to cause UK consumer & UK company’s an issues down the line. UKCA being one of them if they ever stop kicking the can down the road. there is also big issue around business grants

          • I’ll never forgive Heath and Wilson for decieving us into joining the Federalist EU. We were assured it would only ever be a COMMON MARKET and nothing else. the whole EU project was based upon lies by Europhiles and federalists.

          • It’s not racists to want to manage immigration, I think some people get a bit over excited and start using inappropriate labels.

            Its only racist if you pick out a particular racial group and say, I don’t want them over here. Saying that there is to much net immigration compared to the size and national infrastructure and we need methods of control is not racist.

            I also don’t blame in anyway those who try to come to this county for a better life. It’s just a shame that nations that do have vast areas of land and resources are not as welcoming as they could be to individuals who would clearly work hard for a better life or vast areas of the world are so poorly managed that they give crap all opportunity.

            pragmatically we are not a Geographically large nation and we already have a Population of 70million. Infact we are the most populous major county in Europe (Belgium and the Netherlands are first, but they are little so don’t count, lol) and Europe As a whole is far more populated per sq km than North American or Australia.

            What is really interesting is Europe is generally far more crowded than most countries people are moving from. So we ( as in the world ) would be far better trying to give individuals a good future closer to home.

          • As always, a balanced post J, with sensible points. Wish there were more of your ilk.

            That does not stop everyone from the BBC to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury to just about every left leaning HR org going lampooning HMG for trying to do something, wanting all the immigration centres emptied and closed, while offering no solutions themselves bar open borders.

            It is a never ending series of mud throwing just like how they got BJ removed.

            I don’t blame people either. My own father was one of them.
            The BIG difference was he was allowed entry on condition he had a job to go to first.

          • I’m inclined to agree. We have the infrastructure- so roads, power production, rail, water resources and housing for a population of around 50-55 million- seeing as successive governments have failed to reap the 1 in 10 reward for spending on infrastructure. By this I mean for every £1 spent on infrastructure you get £10 back due to efficiencies and increased productivity. The NHS certainly does not have the capacity for a population of nearly 70 million people in the UK.

          • Well, I don’t want to be here, but, Brexit saw me having to leave Latvia with my Sri Lankan wife, who last month finally received residency rights! Yes, that long and with questions about how she had integrated into Latvian life – during COVID! Even though friends had already written in to support her.

            Then again, she has an BSC Economics, from the Oxford of Lanka, one MSc and two MBAs, so maybe not such a bad addition to the UK, what do you think?

          • Funnily enough, we signed papers for both a Bangladeshi friend called Fiasal and a Romanian friend named Felix helping them remain in the UK.

            And I’m still against unlimited mass immigration, yet can support those who have a right to be here, especially through marriage such as your good lady.

            That does NOT apply to every other economic migrant the world over to have a free pass.

      • Until refugee status, or their asylum request is refused, they are not illegal. After all, asylum in the UK can only be applied for within the UK.

        You may not like these people for a wide variety of reasons, or disagree with their requests, but they are still human. Just like you and I

  2. I’ve never understood if “refugees” refers to people fleeing the conflict in hopes of returning home when the war is over or people that no longer want to return to their native land no matter what.

    • It sort of depends.

      refugee status gives you the right to stay for five years, temporary refugee status lasts for 2.5 years.

      If you have refugee status ( that’s the full five years) you can then apply for permeant residency or settlement. Those with temporary refugee status ( 2.5 years) need to wait 10 years before they can apply for settlement. So they will need to apply for refugee status 4 times. If at any time they do not have the right to settlement and the refugee status ends ( after 2.5 years) and they no longer qualify as a refugee ( they are not going to be at risk of being killed etc) it’s back home they go.

      Now the key to being a refugee is that the risk is related to race, religion, group or political beliefs. If your going to get shot in the head for another reason your not a refugee. Instead you are a person requiring humanitarian protection ( this could be an individual who broke a law ( like kissing outside of marriage) and face stoning to death if they went home) or if your home has become a war zone, but you are not a specific target ( just potential collateral damage). It’s essentially the same rights as a person with refugee statues either the full five years or temporary statues ( 2.5 years) and people like the media don’t even know there is any difference.

      what is really interesting is if you arrived in the U.K. before June 2022 you would get the full five year refugee status or five years of humanitarian protection. If you arrived after June 2022 you get the 2.5 years and almost no chance to settlement unless you reapply 4 times.

  3. We have had a ship in Edinburgh for a while, the Ukrainian refugees (mostly young women) are an amazing group and I have not heard a single one of them say anything but praise for both the British and Scottish governments. I personally think it’s a disgrace with the pitifully small numbers the English government is accepting and the large numbers the Scottish government is accepting without providing any proper facilities for people. Placing people on a cruise ship in the middle of a pandemic is a recipe for disaster come winter. These women and girls deserve better.

    • Martin wrote:

      “”it’s a disgrace with the pitifully small numbers the English government is accepting and the large numbers the Scottish government is accepting without providing any proper facilities for people. “”

      Martin as of the 30th Aug here are the figures from the UHCR of how many Ukrainians have been taken in by countries which do not border the Ukraine. (i’ll post the link in a follow up so as to be able to post the chart)
      https://i.postimg.cc/d3fnpF68/ukraine.jpg

      I dont think the British responce is a disgrace, the only people who claimed such was the media, those not in power in Parliament who simply banged their empty tin drum in which to score brownie points and the usual suspects, which is why I never ever take what I hear at face value and try my best to find out the facts.

      Reagrds Scotland as of the 11th of July 2022 it had taken in 7000 ukrainians . it then paused takening in more ukrainians as of the 13th of July 2022 (as per the Scottish government website) a link I will place below this:

          • How many refugees has Britain admitted from Isreal`s illegal and murderous wars against the West Bank and Gazza? .How many refugees from Saudi atrocities in the Yemen?How many Rohingya victims of genocide?You could count them on the fingers of one thumb!!!Britain only does what their American masters order.Wise up children.

          • But if you look at it you only have to look at the number of people from different conflict areas the UK has helped. Unfortunately there is always going to be a limit. Next best thing is to try and help them in country with aid, unfortunately that pot is always going to be limited. I guess you could always choose to go over yourself as a volunteer aid worker if your felt that strongly about the UK nit pulling its weight.

      • In a nutshell the UK has taken in 120000, of which Scotland has taken in just over 7286. Where England has taken in around 110000. Now if you should follow the link to the Scottish gov website, whilst they state how many Scotland has taken in (7286) they then compare themselves against the rest of the Uk per 10000 which paints the picture (for those who arn’t any good at statistics) that actually England is taking in fewer Ukrainians, when net figures state otherwise. Not only that, but the chart doesnt include the people sponsored or the total figures for England .
        https://i.postimg.cc/NGKvpkgw/345.png
        As I hinted at above, its political mud throwing

        • Hi Farouk your are conflating permits issued with Refugees received. The British governments own latest published figures were 135,000 authorized permits with only 85,000 actually taken up and 42,000 of these were simply letting people stay with their own families. The Scottish governments are based on numbers taken per 100,000 which is correct way to measure it. Clearly England is 10 times bigger than Scotland it should take 10 times more. Please note to Sean as well I am being critical of the Scottish Governments response as well. There are taking more refugees than the can handle to score political points and making zero attempt to get any of these Ukrainians in to long term accommodation.

          • Martin wrote:

            “”Hi Farouk your are conflating permits issued with Refugees received. The British governments own latest published figures were 135,000 authorized permits with only 85,000 actually taken up “”

            As of the 30th July the Uk had taken in 104000 Ukrainians
            Press release
            100,000 Ukrainians welcomed to safety in the UK
            More than 100,000 people from Ukraine have arrived in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
            

          • As of the 30th August 2022, the Uk has received 210800 applications from the Ukraine with 180700 visas issued to ukrainians (link)

          • Martin wrote:

            England is 10 times bigger than Scotland it should take 10 times more.

            Regards total land area England is just under twice the size of Scotland:
             
            England: 130,279 km²
             
            Scotland: 77,910 km²

    • Where are we supposed to house them with proper facilities though? We don’t have tens of thousands of empty houses we can just allocate to them.

      Maybe if we didn’t have have so many illegal dingy surfing economic migrants we’d have more housing options for genuine deserving refugees like the Ukrainians (genuine cases like that I have no problem with our country throwing support at).

      As it is the countries being shat on from all directions and can’t cope with it all.

  4. Very nice and as a supporter of Ukraine I welcome all efforts made to make them feel welcome. I do have one question though, why can’t the SNP do the same for Scottish homeless people?

    • I’m guessing that it’s a budget issue. HMG will be paying the bills for this ship. They are still buttering up Ukraine, so that helps.

      • HMG is not giving any money for the ship. Its coming from the Scottish government budget. Even assistance to Ukraine is now being deducted from the Scottish government budget. £50 million in the last round.

        • And where do you think that cash comes from? Those of us in England that prop up the SNP and the useless cronies there. Scotland has been technically bankrupt for decades, Scotland has great protentional however led by WOKE fools who do not know which end of a pencil is sharp. And its the UK as a whole as this is an international matter therefore from London. Plonker

    • Because that would not score any political points against “westmonster”. Plus there are very few people actually close to non in Scotland that are genuinely homeless i.e. living permanently on the streets. Scotland as most places in the UK outside of London lack the migration and other social issues on the same scale. Primary problems is due to mental health and drug addiction issues, temporary accommodation is provided at scale by local authorities and charities however its obviously not ideal.

  5. “we are providing sanctuary to more displaced people per head of population than any other part of the UK”

    Never let an opportunity to dump on the rUK, pass you by…🙄

    • Suppose it is sort of defence related, they being Ukrainian refugees after Russia’s invasion.

      George often posts Scots centric articles. And as the site owner, he can post what he wishes, so just enjoy. 👍

      • If that’s you reasoning behind publishing this article then your seriously pushing the defence nature that this site alludes to being, but hey It’s your ball George you can do what you want with it.

  8. You know I give up…we treat overseas nationals much better than our own people. I think we should all those who believe in asylum 10% extra tax to pay for them. I for one do not want to pay for them. I want to focus on the poor, destitute, mentally ill and elderly in the UK i.e. British people. All those bleeding heart liberals get your hand in your pocket and if you want these people pay for them yourselves. Moreover, do the same with overseas aid! Note all those fairweather left wing liberals who opened up their homes to house them are now throwing them out so that people like me pickl up the tab. Morever, our own people can’t afford to heat their homes…this country makes me sick – it really does.

  9. This is one really bad idea.

    first it will cost a fortune, as the boat will need to be crewed and managed so it’s going to cost way more than normal housing or even hotel accommodation.

    secondly, it’s pretty inhuman actually, a boat is not going to allow any form of normal life and will act like a prison. Whatever there will be limited access on and off, a port is no places to house a load of families with kids. It’s just going to create a getto. As for health care provisos it’s a nightmare.

    Super concentrating people in sub standard accommodation that’s going to cost a fortune is a mare…these people are not even going to be able to cook their own meals…the taxpayer will be paying for them to be cooked, clean their own cloths how exactly.

    Sometimes I do get staggered by the lack of thought. The simple fact is it’s not ideal but you would be better off renting a holiday camp. At least the caravans have kitchens and are self functional houses with access to the outside spaces for families.

  10. what about that 1 billion cruise ship going to be scrapped before its used. Could the MOD not buy it and fit it out with something? turn it into a massive drone carrier or missile silo or some such? by it cheap- offer just more than the scrap value and see if HMG can get a bargain.

  11. It’s about time we had a people’s parliament, elect 60 or so citizens from all walks of British life regardless of gender or country of origin. Elect as in jury duty method. 3 month stints in the house of commons, fully paid and guarantee their job security after service. At least an insight to what the public want would be shown to the political elite. Anyone agree?

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