THE Scottish government’s decision to axe free bus transport for asylum-seekers was today condemned by charities which warned that some live on less than £1.40 per day.
The policy was introduced as part of the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish government and the Scottish Greens in November 2023 after work by the latter and refugee-rights organisations, and was hailed as “a last ray of hope” for asylum-seekers by the Maryhill Integration Network (MIN).
The Scottish government said due to “difficult decisions” on spending for 2024-25 “it is unaffordable to progress piloting free bus travel for all people seeking asylum in Scotland.”
The Scottish Greens said the decision to scrap the policy was “disgraceful” and a “shameful U-turn” while the Scottish Refugee Council described it as “difficult and frustrating news.”
The Scottish government announced in July a pilot would be in place by April 2025 with a £2 million budget.
The MIN said in an online post: “As third-sector organisations who have been providing direct support to the most vulnerable in our communities, we know that having free bus travel would have a positive impact by providing support and connection with others.
“[It would also be] allowing access to education, advice and advocacy.”
The charity branded the decision “devastating,” adding: “People in the asylum process cannot work, cannot access public funds and some live on as little as £1.36 per day.”
Migrants’ Rights Network’s Aya Khedairi added: “The scrapping of this initiative will increase the risk of destitution, as people seeking asylum will have to continue to balance transport costs against food, medicine and other essential costs.
“People in our Network have shared with us the trade-off they are forced to make between different essential costs, and that free bus travel would have also helped them to connect and be in community with others.
“The scrapping of this initiative will also increase isolation, as well as limit the ability of people seeking asylum to attend medical, legal and other necessary appointments."
Scottish Greens transport spokesman Mark Ruskell said: “This is a shameful U-turn and a disgraceful decision.
“It is a broken promise to some of the most marginalised communities in our country and will only entrench the state-sanctioned poverty that people seeking asylum are forced into.
“Many have to live off around £50 a week to meet all their essential living needs.”
Mr Ruskell said he was “deeply disappointed” in the decision, adding: “I urge the First Minister and his colleagues to reconsider if they really want to go back on such an important and humane policy that they know will make a positive difference.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said it remained committed to supporting people seeking asylum and wants to work with Westminster to “contribute ideas that build on shared priorities.”
