COMMUNITIES Minister Aileen Campbell slammed the Home Office last night for denying Glasgow cash paid to its English counterparts.

Campbell hit out at the “unacceptable” decision to withhold monies to the local authority, but not councils south of the Border.

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The comments came as the Scottish Government revealed it has committed emergency funding to help charities support asylum seekers facing homelessness and destitution in the city.

The £110,000 sum will allow three specialist charities – the Scottish Refugee Council, the Refugee Survival Trust and the British Red Cross – to deliver advice and advocacy.

The move is in response to the Serco lock-change row, which relates to the eviction of those rejected for refugee status.

That policy is now on pause as a result of court proceedings, though Serco says it is acting in compliance with the law and its Home Office contract.

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Communities Minister Aileen Campbell hit out at the Home Office

Meanwhile, social housing provider Wheatley Group revealed it aims to reduce the number of properties let to Serco and Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes this week confirmed the council will be allowed to assess all cases.

The Scottish Government says the new cash will allow the partner charities to “double their capacity to help people back into asylum support and provide stable and safe accommodation”.

However, it covers just a six-month period and Campbell says long-term funding changes are needed.

She stated: “While we welcome the pause in the issue of lock-change notices, this is only a temporary measure, and the fact remains that destitution and homelessness are built into the current asylum system – placing hundreds of people at risk.

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“The plight of people threatened with eviction demands a resolute and humanitarian approach and we cannot see people turned on to the streets because of the failure of the Home Office’s asylum policy.

“We all have a moral duty to do what we can to help those most in need, and this additional funding, while a short-term solution, will provide urgent assistance needed.

“The Scottish Government wants to work with the Home Office to improve support for asylum seekers at all stages of the process, and find a sustainable, long-term solution to ensure that the current situation, caused by the Home Office’s failed processes can never happen again in Scotland.

“This needs to include equity of funding for Glasgow City Council which is a Home Office dispersal area and has welcomed asylum seekers. It is unacceptable to deny funding to Glasgow when it is available to English councils.”

The comments echo remarks made in recent days by Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council.

The Home Office has said that asylum seekers “who would otherwise be destitute” are provided with free housing while their applications are considered, but that: “If the courts have decided that someone has no right to remain in the United Kingdom it is right that they should leave the UK.”

Responding to the cash from Holyrood, Scottish Refugee Council chief executive Sabir Zazai, pictured below, said: “The last few weeks have shown just how desperately we need a safety net for people at risk of homelessness and destitution.”

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Meanwhile, an action plan has been unveiled to help homeless people in the city, where the council’s homelessness team made more than 7000 offers of temporary and emergency accommodation in 2017-18.

However, not all were housed when they needed it due to a lack of available properties.

A target has now been set of providing 4000 “settled” homes for people who are homeless a year.

As part of the plan, the council and housing associations will review their current arrangements to help more people off the streets, with help on bills and paperwork given to those at risk of repeat homelessness.

Councillor Mhairi Hunter, chair of the local Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “The council has been working intensively with the Scottish Housing Regulator to tackle the pressures on this vital service and meet the city’s statutory obligations.

“Homelessness is a very complex and emotive issue.

“Every case is different and the council’s homelessness team is committed to doing all they can to help people who face this distressing prospect. We accept that sometimes we have not been able to help people quickly enough and we are working hard to improve that.

“This action plan contains some very constructive measures aimed at streamlining processes, speeding up assessment of needs and ensuring there is a consistent city-wide approach with all partners.”