Risks raised for asylum seekers in rural areas

Accommodating asylum seekers in Stirling's rural areas would be “harsh” for them and have a “major impact” on the communities themselves say SNP councillors.

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

Stirling Council has unanimously agreed to write to the Home Secretary to highlight “specific risks” associated with asylum dispersal in rural or remote communities.

But the council's leader, Labour's Gerry McGarvey, says the letter will be careful to reflect a “caring and compassionate council”

At a full council meeting last Thursday, SNP councillor Gene Maxwell said: “We have heard persistent rumours - more than rumours - that the Home Office is looking to increase the amount of asylum seeker dispersal across the UK - and in particular mention has been made of the intention to move people into rural areas of this constituency.

“That has a number of potential issues associated with it.

“We have had over the last several years, a very good reaction to Ukrainian and Afghani refugees coming to us - but they came with a package of support and money and a bit of wraparound to it that enabled that to work well.

“Straightforward asylum seekers come with almost no support.

“They are provided with room and board.

“We are talking about a situation where the Home Office would, through a contractor, take over hotels, put asylum seekers into these hotels on a room and board basis.

“They are given £8.86 a week as pocket money and that’s about it. There’s no other support.

“That’s a specific action to try and limit the amount of support available to them.