Question reference: S6W-05330
- Asked by: Collette Stevenson, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 22 December 2021
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 23 February 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding the devolution of aspects of asylum support.
Answer
The Smith Commission recommended that the Scottish and UK Governments should ‘explore the possibility of different powers being in place in Scotland for asylum seekers to access accommodation and financial support and advice.’ Discussions on this recommendation took place over a period of around two years, but concluded without making progress.
The Scottish Government continues to raise issues which impact people seeking asylum living in Scotland and has consistently pressed the UK Government to ensure that people have access to the support and services they need. This includes raising concerns about use of hotels as contingency initial asylum accommodation in correspondence published in January 2022: Use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers: correspondence with UK government - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .
I have also requested that the Home Office re-establish regular four nation meetings on asylum to support continued discussions on asylum policy and operations.