Asylum seekers lack support to self-isolate
Grants to support people to self-isolate for COVID reasons must be extended for asylum seekers who have no recourse to public funds, the Scottish Greens have said.
Under draconian Home Office rules, asylum seekers are unable to work or claim normal benefits.
Scottish Greens communities spokesperson Andy Wightman has written to the First Minister calling for the employment criteria in the self-isolation grant to be changed.
Mr Wightman said: “The Greens have been clear there needs to be more support for people to self-isolate safely so that test and trace can be effective. This must also apply to those who are victims of unfair Home Office measures.
“I am concerned that eligibility for this grant is restricted to those who are self-employed. Given that most people who have no recourse to public funds are not allowed to work by law, this exacerbates the risk of destitution for many extremely vulnerable people. It also undermines the public health benefits that expanding the Self-Isolation Support Grant creates.”