U-turn on free bus travel for people seeking asylum a disgrace
Reports that the Scottish Government is dropping its commitment to introduce free bus travel for people seeking asylum are deeply concerning, say the Scottish Greens. The party has called it a shameful U-turn and a disgraceful decision.
The policy had been secured by the Scottish Greens in November 2023 as part of the Bute House Agreement that brought the party into government for the first time. The commitment followed a long campaign by refugee-rights organisations and a successful pilot programme in Glasgow in 2023.
The party’s transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell, has called for the First Minister to think again after breaking a promise to communities that are already marginalised, banned from working and forced into extreme poverty.
Mr Ruskell said:
“This is a shameful U-turn and a disgraceful decision. It is a broken promise to some of the most marginalised communities in our country and will only entrench the state-sanctioned poverty that people seeking asylum are forced into. Many have to live off around £50 a week to meet all their essential living needs.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Scottish Government has chosen to do this. We have a serious responsibility as a country to do all we can to help protect people who seek safety here - not just in rhetoric, but in action too. This announcement flies in the face of that.
“I was delighted when this policy was announced. It took a lot of work from the Scottish Greens and from refugee rights campaigners across our country to secure it.
“It was a small and compassionate change that would make a big difference to the lives of people who are routinely punished by a hostile and racist system.
“I urge the First Minister and his colleagues to reconsider if they really want to go back on such an important and humane policy that they know will make a positive difference.”