The asylum system poses a threat to social harmony as the influx of homeless refugees increases pressure on Glasgow’s facilities, warns the city council. Glasgow city council, the largest asylum dispersal region outside of London, has traditionally accommodated asylum seekers. However, the specific circumstances of Scotland’s robust housing laws and the previous Conservative government’s changes have resulted in high costs for the city, with no end in sight.
The Guardian highlights how the number of homeless refugees in Glasgow has surged as the Home Office accelerated its plan to clear the asylum backlog before the general election. In the past year, nearly 1,000 individuals who received their asylum decisions elsewhere in the UK have moved to Glasgow to access homelessness services. Many of these individuals are from households that have been granted leave to remain.
While the Labour government extended the notice period for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation, it can take months for them to receive the necessary documentation and for their universal credit claims to be processed. City convener for homelessness, Allan Casey, cautions that if the UK government does not compensate the council, there is a risk of social unrest. The topic of asylum seekers and refugees could become a source of misinformation and blame for budgetary decisions.
During a recent city council byelection, the Reform UK candidate faced accusations of spreading misinformation when he suggested a former care home could be used as a hostel for asylum seekers. In response, the council wants to work with the UK government to explore potential solutions, including a pause on asylum seeker arrivals in Glasgow and the possibility of allowing asylum seekers to work.
Numerous individuals from across the UK, such as Belfast, London, Manchester, and Birmingham, have moved to Glasgow since February 2024 to access homeless support services and take advantage of Scotland’s housing rights and the city’s established migrant communities. The council is eager to meet with Angela Eagle, the asylum
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/01/asylum-system-risks-damaging-social-cohesion-glasgow-city-council-warns
