Glasgow City Council has raised urgent concerns about the UK’s asylum system, warning that its current operation threatens social cohesion and places unsustainable pressure on local resources. As Scotland’s largest asylum dispersal area, the city has long welcomed refugees but now faces a crisis as hundreds of homeless individuals granted asylum elsewhere in the UK flock to Glasgow drawn by Scotland’s robust housing protections and integration support.
Councilor Allan Casey, convener for homelessness, revealed the city has spent tens of millions accommodating refugees, many of whom arrive after receiving leave to remain but struggle to secure housing due to bureaucratic delays. While the Labour government extended the move-out period for asylum seekers to eight weeks, gaps in documentation and benefits processing leave many in limbo. Casey emphasized the risk of rising tensions if funding gaps persist, noting how misinformation like recent false claims about asylum hostels can fuel division.
With over 1,000 refugees from cities like London and Manchester seeking support in Glasgow since 2024, the council seeks urgent talks with UK asylum minister Angela Eagle. While committed to its role as a dispersal city, Glasgow stresses the system must address Scotland’s unique legal obligations and provide adequate funding. A government spokesperson acknowledged the need for smoother transitions, citing extended move-on periods and backlog clearance efforts—but local leaders warn the current approach is “utterly untenable” without systemic reform.
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