Media release, October 30: Scottish Refugee Council launches Section 4 report
Scottish Refugee Council is calling for the asylum support system to change as new research reveals large numbers of those seeking sanctuary in Scotland are surviving with no cash for years at a time, and for the wrong reasons.
The research, conducted by Scottish Refugee Council, focuses on over 1000 people on Section 4 support - a lifeline package comprising of accommodation and vouchers worth £35 a week and valid only in a few approved shops - provided to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.
When the UK government first introduced Section 4 it was a short-term measure for individuals, couples and families whose asylum claim had been refused. However our research shows it is being used to support people whose claims are still active, while some asylum seekers have been surviving without cash for up to four years.
Comment, October 29: Zimbabwe returns
Comment on today's announcement by Phil Woolas, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, announcing that the UK Government intends to reconsider its position on returning refused asylum seekers to Zimbabwe.
John Wilkes, chief executive of Scottish Refugee Council, said: "We are extremely concerned that the UK Government could be considering forcing Zimbabweans to a country which is still extremely unstable.
"We would urge the Government to recognise its duty to protect Zimbabweans in the UK who may not have reached the threshold for protection under the Refugee Convention but who nonetheless cannot safely return to Zimbabwe."
Media release, October 23: Call for a fair and just asylum system
Scottish Refugee Council autumn conference, Friday 23 October 9am-12.30pm
John Wilkes and Donna Covey, Chief Executives of the Scottish Refugee Council and British Refugee Council respectively, will open the Scottish Refugee Council annual conference with a call for a ‘fair and just asylum system’.
Among their demands will be:
- The right for those seeking asylum to work whilst awaiting the decision on their claim
- The end of Section 4 and replacement with cash support for ALL asylum seekers until they return to country of origin or are given status in the UK
Media release, October 1: Asylum benefit cuts
The Scottish Refugee Council and Poverty Alliance are challenging Scots to live on a fiver a day. This is to highlight "unacceptable" cuts to asylum support.
Government cuts in asylum support are set to see asylum seekers forced to live on as little as £5 a day from October 05.
Scottish Refugee Council believes these cuts - which mean asylum seekers receive only 55 per cent of income support or job seekers allowance - are unacceptable and is backing a national campaign calling on the government to rethink the move.