THE Scottish Greens called for powers over the safe accommodation of people seeking asylum to be devolved to Holyrood on International Migrants’ Day today.

The Home Office has ditched contracts with councils for asylum housing and support, in favour of privateers such as Mears, which was forced to close a unit it ran in Glasgow in 2022 after the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland warned of “cramped and unsafe” conditions that breached residents human rights.

Just days after the firm was forced to hand back £14m in excess profit back to the Home Office, Green MSP Maggie Chapman has called on the Scottish government to demand powers over asylum housing and support be devolved.

She argued: “The UK government allows companies to rake in millions in profits from providing accommodation that breaches their human rights.

“If we had the powers to do so, Scotland could kick the profiteers out and ensure that the public and charity sectors could provide safe, warm and dignified accommodation for those who have come here seeking safety.”

The Home Office and Scottish government were contacted for comment.