THE Scottish Greens called for the First Minister today to reconsider his government’s decision to halt the introduction of free bus travel for people seeking asylum. 

The policy, which was dropped this week, was originally secured by the Scottish Greens in October 2023 following a long cross-party campaign by refugee-rights organisations and a successful pilot programme in Glasgow.  

Scottish Greens transport spokesman Mark Ruskell and equalities spokeswoman Maggie Chapman wrote to the First Minister urging him to think again.

The letter from the two MSPs read: “The Scottish government does not have the power to build its own asylum and protection system.

“But we do have the ability — and the responsibility — to use what powers we have to support those who have come to Scotland in search of protection.

“The extension of free bus travel to people seeking asylum was exactly that.”

The letter said that the powers of the Scottish government “have to mitigate the devastating impact of a hostile asylum system built on racist policies.”

It added: “Over the past month, we have seen some of the worst examples of far-right violence in the UK for years.

“People seeking asylum have been specifically targeted in their homes, threatened, and attacked.

“So, it is deeply ironic that precisely at the time we should be ramping up our offer of support and care to those seeking protection, the Scottish government has decided to roll back on this commitment.

“We are devastated that this policy has been axed and are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on people seeking asylum in Scotland.”

The Scottish government has yet to issue a formal announcement on the decision.