Refugee Survival Trust media release: Mass eviction threat looms in Glasgow

The Refugee Survival Trust is extremely concerned by Serco’s intention to evict hundreds of men and women from their accommodation in Glasgow.

Two asylum seekers in Glasgow

Serco is planning to evict people at a rate of up to 30 per week, in the full knowledge that there is insufficient alternative shelter or accommodation available in the city to provide safe and secure housing to this vulnerable group. People seeking asylum in the UK are prohibited from accessing homelessness services and do not have the resources to fund their own accommodation. These men and women now face the terrifying prospect of being forced into street homelessness and destitution, with all the inherent dangers these bring.

The people currently threatened with eviction are seeking protection in the UK, having fled war and persecution in their home countries. Forcing already vulnerable people into destitution is inhumane and underlines the callous and coercive nature of the UK asylum system.

The Refugee Survival Trust is calling for Serco and the Home Office to halt the evictions pending the outcome of the ongoing legal challenges and until their legal right to evict through lock changes has been definitively established.

In the light of the threatened evictions, the Refugee Survival Trust is today launching an appeal to raise additional funds to help anyone affected by this situation. With more than 20 years of experience in providing emergency support for refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland RST is able to respond quickly and effectively in times of need. RST guarantees that 100% of donations to this appeal will go directly to asylum seekers and refugees facing emergency destitution in Scotland.

Donations can be made through Localgiving or via RST’s website. To organise a personal or community fundraiser to respond to this home-grown human rights emergency please contact RST fundraisers on fundraising@rst.org.uk

The Refugee Survival Trust supports asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland through the distribution of emergency destitution grants and an integrated Destitute Asylum Seeker Service (DASS). It also works to support refugees to integrate into Scotland through grant support to access education and employment opportunities, befriending and office internships.

See www.rst.org.uk

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For more information, please contact: Cath McGee, Destitute Asylum Seeker Service Manager, The Refugee Survival Trust, +44 (0) 141 353 5602, DASS_Manager@rst.org.uk

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