Publication - FOI/EIR release

UK Government's request to the Scottish Government to use Cameron Barracks as asylum accommodation: FOI release

Published: 9 February 2026
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202500491813
Date received: 3 November 2025
Date responded: 2 December 2025

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Information requested

The date the UK Government informed the Scottish Government that Cameron Barracks in Inverness would be used to house Asylum Seekers.

Response

The answer to your question is that UK Government officials first approached the Scottish Government on 17 September to discuss the possible use of Cameron Barracks as asylum accommodation. However, the Scottish Government only learnt of the UK Government’s formal decision to use Cameron Barracks on 28 October through media reports.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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