MPs in call to move asylum seekers out of hotels and back into homes

It is one of a number of demands of a coalition of politicians and support organisations who have been raising concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers during lockdown by private contractor Mears and the Home Office.

Following the multiple stabbings last Friday which left six men, including police officer, David Whyte, in hospital, there have been calls for an inquiry into the decisions that led to hundreds of asylum seekers being put into hotels.

Abadlla Adam, 28, was shot and killed by armed police after he stabbed six people including staff and other asylum seekers at the Park Inn hotel in West George street on Friday.

The MPs and support organisations want an immediate return to residential accommodation. They are calling for the weekly £35 payment for food and essential items to be restored and backdated to the start of lockdown.

They are also asking for asylum claims to be speeded up to ensure people are not left waiting. 

A full inquiry into the Home Office procurement process and the use of hotels.

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central said it was unacceptable that people were removed from homes and put in hotels.

She said concerns had been raised by MPs, the city council and organisations before the attack about conditions and the affect on people’s mental health.

She added: “The Home Office must take responsibility for the wellbeing of all asylum seekers currently being accommodated in hotels in Glasgow.

“Support payments must be reinstated immediately. I ask that a plan is put in place to work with asylum seekers to organise, in an orderly and sensitive manner, their move back to accommodation they can call home.”

Chris Stephens, SNP MP for Glasgow South West, said MPs would be demanding a meeting with Home Office ministers to discuss concerns.

He said: “We have been concerned for weeks regarding the treatment of asylum seekers in our city.   The discrepancies between statements from the Home office and Mears, and those of support organisations, and asylum seekers themselves is a major concern.  The Home Office must now step up.”

A spokesman for Mears Group said “Our thoughts remain with those in hospital and others impacted by this tragedy. We are doing everything we can to provide additional support to service users.

"We immediately moved service users from the Park Inn Hotel into new accommodation on Friday night. Mears staff slept here also to provide additional help and support. Glasgow City Council have provided four social workers from their Major Incident Support Team to be on site. We are providing access to additional counselling support and to essential items such as clothing. We wish to thank our staff, the police and NHS, and the charities and support groups who have assisted with the collective and significant response. We are assisting the Police with their investigation.

"As we announced last week, we are planning to move people from hotels as soon as alternative accommodation becomes available.”