It comes as a committee of MPs report published on Monday said that billions of pounds had been “squandered” on asylum accommodation by Home Office mismanagement.
The Home Affairs Committee warned ministers must set out a clear strategy of how to reduce the use of asylum hotels and have a chance to end the “current failed, chaotic and expensive” system that has wasted taxpayers’ money.
The UK Government has promised to end the housing of asylum seekers in hotels by 2029 amid mounting pressure over rising costs and a backlash in local communities.
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The Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership also stated in the report that Glasgow is “400% above” the level agreed under the UK’s asylum dispersal plan, which was designed to share accommodation more evenly across the country.
The Home Office, through private firm Mears, is responsible for ensuring those who are fleeing persecution are housed while their applications are being considered.
In evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, Frances McMeeking of the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership said: Glasgow was the only dispersal area in Scotland until 2022, and it remains a significant challenge in the city, with 94% of all asylum cases being accommodated in the city.”
“Mears has over 1800 properties in the city, so that is having an impact, as you would appreciate, on the property availability. Glasgow is operating at 400% above the dispersal plan.
“There has been limited and slow movement in terms of properties via Mears across the rest of Scotland, with now 19 local authorities agreeing to accommodate people within their local authority area, out of the other 31 local authorities.”
The Scottish Refugee Council has called for “significant financial investment” into Glasgow City Council given the disproportionate financial burden.
“The cost to the city of Glasgow of changes to Home Office processes are into the tens of millions. This level of expenditure is unsustainable and Glasgow City Council require urgent engagement with the Home Office to discuss financial assistance,” the charity’s written submission stated.
The charity also called for an “acknowledgement” from UK ministers of the “complexity” of the situation in Glasgow and noted that “many of the relevant policy levers and funding sources” that support refugees rest with the UK Government.
