FREE bus travel for asylum seekers has been backed by a Glasgow MSP with calls for a pilot in Glasgow to be made permanent to help people with costs.

The Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, was asked about extending the scheme when it runs out in July.

The call by Green MSP Mark Ruskell was backed by Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin SNP MSP.

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She said it can make a big difference to people’s lives.

Stewart, said: “Given the severely limited financial support, it is clear that free bus travel will better enable access to services.”

She asked if there had been talks with the United Kingdom Government about providing wider support to asylum seekers accessing transport services.”

Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government recommends that the United Kingdom Government should ensure that the financial element of asylum support reflects the real costs of daily life, including travel.

I am limited for time, so I will just reiterate that the Scottish ministers continue to raise issues that have an impact on people seeking asylum who are living in our communities, and to push the United Kingdom Government for positive change.”

The scheme sees around 150 asylum seekers in Glasgow provided with a 12-week digital bus pass.

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It has been introduced as the cost of a daily bus pass at around £5 takes a lot of an asylum seeker’s £45 a week allowance and is affecting people’s ability to attend medical or legal appointments.

Ruskell said: “The pilot in Glasgow will show us exactly how life changing free travel can be for people who are seeking asylum, who, thanks to Tory hostility, are forced to live on barely £45 a week.

"We already have similar stories from schemes in Aberdeen and Wales that make the case for change.”

He asked the minister to meet campaigners to discuss the next steps on extending the scheme to all asylum seekers in Scotland.

The minister said she would be happy to meet those involved.

Hyslop said: “They (asylum seekers) are in a difficult position, generally, they are not allowed to work to support themselves or eligible for benefits.”