Over 50 refugee, faith based organisations, and public bodies across Scotland, including the URC National Synod of Scotland have written to the First Minister regarding the decision to scrap the commitment to a free bus travel pilot scheme for people seeking asylum.

The 50+ signatories to the letter represent organisations that provide advice and support to

people seeking asylum, public bodies and faith communities across Scotland. Many

organisations indicated the support would have been life changing and for a small change, it

would have made a significant change for many people in the asylum process.

The letter, drafted by a core group of organisations, states: “After agreeing to a national pilot,

the Scottish Government has now said that we are, once again, on our own and that community

and affinity groups, neighbours, friends and the third sector will be left to cobble together what

we can to stem the tide of despairand it will not be enough. Removing access to mobility makes

people vulnerable who otherwise have enormous potential to care for our communities and

themselves.

The impact of this decision is incalculable after months and years of hard work to restore this

right of movement. If people in the asylum system in Glasgow, with a wide ecosystem of support

established over decades, need this desperately then it is clear that the need for transport for

those outside the city is dire. The consequences of this situation will only become more severe

in the coming months and years as more and more people are held without choice in

contingency and dispersal accommodation outside of major cities.”

Pinar Aksu, Human Rights and Advocacy Coordinator at Maryhill Integration Network, said:

“Many of our members are objected to extreme poverty and some are placed in rural locations

with limited access to services. People in the asylum process do not have the right to work,

cannot access public funds and depend on the limited asylum support provided for them.

This scheme was the last ray of hope for many people in Scotland.”

Daisy Vaughan Linero, VOICES Network Manager, British Red Cross said :

"VOICES Ambassadors have been working tirelessly over the last 2 and a half years on the

Free Bus Travel campaign. They've given their time and expertise so that people seeking

protection in Scotland are no longer forced to choose between buying food and connecting into

and around their communities, taking their children to school or attending essential

appointments. Last November's euphoria after their efforts had paid off has now been replaced

by deep disappointment as this step towards enabling the integration of those in search of

safety is taken off the table."

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