UK asylum policy questioned by Glasgow charity

Positive Action in Scotland and councillor, Christina Cannon, have called for reform to UK asylum policy.

The UK government are facing calls to address the issues facing local authorities in Scotland as a result of its asylum policy.

In 2023, the Home Office introduced a new streamlined system for dealing with asylum applications in order to address a backlog of cases. Since its introduction, over 100,000 cases have been processed.

Since the early 2010s, the UK government has introduced a number of policies to make seeking asylum in the UK as difficult as possible.

Such policies became known as “hostile environment” policies as coined by the former Prime Minister, Theresa May.

In recent years, the UK Government has proposed and introduced measures designed specifically to discourage people from seeking asylum on the island.

The “hostile environment” policies have had a profound impact across the UK.

Iona Taylor, Advocacy and Campaigns lead at Positive Action Scotland said: “All of the things that I’m speaking about are a direct product of this raft of hostile policies.

“When it comes to placing people into institutionalised accommodation, whether in hotels, former army barracks or the Bibby Stockholm; these are all part of that mentality.

“What we are looking for is for the government and the Home Office to have a complete reversal of this idea of hostility towards people seeking asylum and seeking safety.

“It requires a complete reroute of our asylum system bringing compassion to the fore, rather than cruelty.

“It is about aiming for homes for all, adequate provisions for all and acknowledging that when people are seeking safety, they have a right to asylum. This is something that our government should be committed to upholding.”

Figures gathered by the Scottish Government show that there are 2,155 asylum seekers enrolled in Scottish schools, of which 1,588 are enrolled in the City of Glasgow.

In contrast, there are only 118 asylum seekers enrolled in City of Edinburgh schools highlighting the support that Glasgow requires.

Councillor Christina Cannon, City Convener for Education & Early Years, said: “Glasgow has been Scotland’s only asylum dispersal authority for almost a quarter of a century and supports more asylum seekers that any other UK council area.

She continued: “Providing sanctuary to those fleeing war, famine and persecution has always had challenges, but Glasgow has risen to meet these pressures and our city is a more diverse, integrated international city as a result.”

There have been calls for the UK Government to address issues facing Scottish councils as a result of rising numbers of asylum seekers requiring support.

Councillor Cannon said: “The reality is that it is the UK Government and Home Office in particular which bear responsibility for asylum policy.

“They have continually relied upon both our welcome and the fact that Glasgow has the highest proportion of asylum seekers in the UK.

“Meanwhile, we have repeatedly made the case to them to better support the public services which help ensure the successful integration Glasgow is known for.

“Indeed, the approach they are currently taking with the batch processing of asylum applications is creating unprecedented pressures.”