The UK government's controversial plan to house migrants in disused military bases and barges instead of hotels has been condemned as cruel and unworkable by human rights advocates and opposition lawmakers. The plan is aimed at deterring undocumented people from crossing the English Channel from France in small boats, part of the UK government’s extensive crackdown on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers entering the country. Critics of the plan say it is more about garnering headlines than solving the problem, adding that such hardline policies could re-traumatize people fleeing war and conflict. Humanitarian bodies and NGOs have also slammed a series of contentious bills put forward by the UK government aimed at clamping down on the crossings.