BASW Scotland attacks asylum rehousing plan

BASW Scotland has condemned moves by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to terminate its accommodation contract for asylum seekers with Glasgow City Council over a cost row.

BASW Scotland manager Ruth Stark said it was “atrocious” that letters had been sent to more than 1,000 asylum seekers earlier this month informing them they could be rehoused “somewhere in the Scotland region” with three to five days notice.

“This is absolutely appalling treatment of people who have already experienced trauma. It also does not recognise their human rights. Some have been settled in Scotland for a number of years. This is absolutely atrocious behaviour on the part of the UK Border Agency,” she said.

Ms Stark added that skills shortages in Scotland meant migrants were needed to boost the workforce. BASW is supporting protests by a range of organisations and individuals against the UKBA’s decision.

Glasgow council, which provides accommodation for more than 1,000 asylum seekers, around 100 of whom are in touch with specialist mental health services, was not told by the UKBA that it had written to the asylum seekers telling them they could be moved.

Margaret Woods, of the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, said: “I’ve been told by professionals that women have collapsed and been taken to hospital after they received the letter. One had to be sectioned. A lot of these people have already been through terrible trauma.

“They are settled and they have support networks. It has also taken years to build up expertise in Glasgow in how to treat trauma. If people are moved all over the place they will lose their support and access to specialist services,” she added.

Glasgow council met officials from the UKBA in November to out its concerns over plans to transfer the contract to Y People, formerly YMCA, by February 2011. The local authority and Y People have now written to the UKBA urging it to reconsider the deadline.