SAJID Javid and Serco came under increased pressure today over plans to lock hundreds of asylum seekers out of their homes.

As many as 300 people could lose the roofs over their heads under a decision taken by Serco, the private sector firm with the contract to deliver asylum seeker housing in Glasgow.

In a lengthy statement issued to police, the local authority and more, the company – appointed by the Home Office – said it would change the locks on properties provided to anyone with a failed residency bid.

READ MORE: Evicting asylum seekers is a disgrace and should be stopped immediately

This includes those cut off from public funds but who have not exhausted their asylum appeals.

It later emerged that Labour MP Paul Sweeney had spoken to Serco CEO Robert Soames who said that the six eviction noticed to be served this week will be on single males.

"I asked if an equality impact assessment has been undertaken and to suspend evictions pending a full consultation," he tweeted. 

"He said he would consider this."

Earlier today housing chiefs and religious leaders urged both Serco and the Home Office to change their positions as the public signed up to attend a protest in the city's Buchanan Street at 6pm tomorrow, with others donating to emergency appeals.

And city politicians petitioned Javid in an unprecedented show of unity.

In an urgent letter to the Home Secretary, MPs and councillors from the SNP, Labour and the Greens said the voluntary sector is "totally unprepared" to pick up slack from the state and outlines the legal handcuffs preventing the council from providing asylum accommodation.

It goes on: "We stand collectively for treating people fairly, and with decency, dignity and respect and we do not think that locking vulnerable people out of their homes ascribes to these values.

"The evidence in Glasgow over a number of years now is that the policy, as carried out by Serco as the contract holder, of evicting people who have exhausted the asylum process is far less likely to lead to their voluntarily leaving the UK than it is to their joining the city’s homeless and rough sleeper populations, further increasing their vulnerability and significantly adding to the pressures on services provided by the organisations who work in the frontline in this field.

"We hereby call on you, as Home Secretary, to instruct Serco to cease the lock change and eviction programme with immediate effect.

"We also call on you to meet with us to discuss a fair, appropriate and measured way to work together with all partners to ensure that asylum seekers who have not been given leave to remain are not plunged in to unnecessary vulnerability and hardship.

READ: The letter sent to Sajid Javid urging him to act on Serco's plans

"It is crucial that effective support is provided to the statutory and voluntary agencies in Glasgow who have to deal with the ongoing impact this policy has on the city and the demands it makes on services."

But the call was made as alarm spread through the city's affected communities and the first six people were issued notices that they are to be locked-out of their accommodation.

The Home Office stopped paying Serco for the use of the properties when their refugee bids were refused. However, the details of their cases are not yet known.

Serco said no evictions will take place until the seven-day period ends.

The Refugee Survival Trust, which provides lifeline grants to destitute asylum seekers, has appealed for "compassion".

Jenni Halliday of Serco said the company is "sympathetic" to those affected and has been "more than supportive to these individuals", but added: "We cannot continue to provide free housing indefinitely.”

Meanwhile, the Home Office has defended its departmental processes as "right".

But Rev Dr Richard Frazer said the Church of Scotland is "deeply, deeply concerned" at the move, adding: “Whilst these are individuals and families who have had their right to remain in this country turned down, past evidence suggests that half will win their appeal against that decision.

“In the meantime, we have a clear moral responsibility to be providing housing.

READ MORE: Outrage over 'brutal' plan to evict 300 asylum seekers in Glasgow

“Many of those facing eviction have already needed to flee their homes in the past from appalling violence, terror and war. It is unacceptable that this should be happening.

“We are a welcoming nation - Glasgow has the reputation across the world of being a friendly city. We need to live up to that.”

Jim Strang, president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: "We should also be asking whether as a civilised society we have the complete lack of humanity to throw into the streets displaced vulnerable persons and families, stranded thousands of miles from their dangerous homelands, with little more than the clothes on their backs and their dignity in tatters."

And Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: “We would be concerned if even lawful evictions were done in such a way that was inhumane and put vulnerable households on the streets, without support.

"We urge Serco to reflect on their plans."