Press release: Glasgow MP calls for asylum seekers to be protected from evictions

Glasgow East MP David Linden has called upon the UK Government to do more to support asylum seekers facing homelessness during the pandemic.

At the end of March, in response to COVID-19, the Home Office announced that asylum seekers would not be forced to leave their accommodation once their claim or appeal had been decided.

However, after news last week that the Home Office was now lifting its ban on asylum evictions, countless people are at risk of becoming homeless. Asylum seekers who have had their cases refused will now begin to receive notices of eviction, asking them to leave their accommodation within 21 days.

This news comes as the Prime Minster spoke in the House of Commons yesterday warning of a second wave of COVID-19 cases and putting in place further restrictions aiming to quell the virus.

Challenging the Minister in the House of Commons today, Glasgow East MP David Linden said the Government should “protect those most vulnerable in society” especially as the threat of a second wave looms.

Speaking from the House of Commons, David Linden MP said:

"The Government should be supporting those most vulnerable in society during the COVID-19 pandemic; this includes protecting asylum seekers from facing homelessness.

"It must be made very clear that no one refused asylum or with insecure status should be made street homeless given this public health emergency.

"The Minister and his Government should make a commitment to not follow through on its decision to subject vulnerable asylum seekers to evictions and street homelessness, without the explicit consent of the affected local authority and Public Health Director.

"After further COVID-19 restrictions were put in place yesterday it should only highlight to the Government that the last thing people need is for the rug to be pulled from under their feet. Now more than ever, we should protect and support those people who are most at risk."