A government minister has confirmed that there could be 500 asylum seekers on the Portland barge by the end of the week.

The same minister declined to confirm leaked documents which suggest that the first will arrive today (Monday), following delays last week amid fire safety concerns, although she said they would be arriving "pretty soon, in the coming days".

Asked if there would be 500 by the end of the week, the minister said: "Yes, we're hoping, possibly 500."

It has also been revealed that the Health & Safety Executive will inspect the Bibby Stockholm barge specifically to look at control measures for respiratory infections, including Covid.

Claims have also been made that fire safety concerns over the accommodation have now been successfully dealt with.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, Sarah Dines, speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, said she was not prepared to discuss the exact details but did not deny that letters had been sent to asylum seekers currently in hotels telling them that their new accommodation would be the Bibby Stockholm in Portland.

The letters say there will be free wi-fi, education classes, English classes, recreation space and volunteer-run activities.

Dorset Council has said that its input for those on the asylum barge would be minimal, given that it is being run by the Home Office.

Said a council statement: "Funding from government will allow activities to be provided through our voluntary and community sector partners. Some of the things being discussed include English speaking and conversation classes, a dignity shop on or near the barge where asylum seekers can shop for clothing / toiletries etc, and some physical activities.

"In addition to this, we understand the barge operators, Landry & Kling, will be offering a multi faith prayer room, laundry services and a bus service to take the asylum seekers to Weymouth."

The United Kingdom has a legal obligation to support asylum seekers, who would otherwise be destitute. The government is using barges and other accommodation options as an alternative to hotels to house asylum seekers, saying this offers better value for the taxpayer.

Dorset Council has negotiated a funding package from the government of £3,500 per occupied bed space on the Bibby Stockholm, plus a one-off payment of £377,000.

The barge is expected to be docked at the port for 18 months and will house up to 500 asylum seekers – adult males aged between 18 to 65 from various countries, all of whom will have been in the UK for some time.

Asylum seekers will have been through a 'suitability screening' process that includes physical and mental health checks and security screenings, such as identity checks against UK immigration and police data bases.