THE Scottish Parliament has once again backed calls for free bus travel to be extended to those seeking asylum, but delivery remains as elusive as ever.

The then SNP First Minister Humza Yousaf had committed his SNP-Green coalition government to the £2 million policy last year, only for it to be dropped by his successor John Swinney in August on the grounds of cost.

Speaking for his party’s motion calling on the policy to be revived and enacted, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said the U-turn “should appall.”

He argued: “Such a small amount of money that this policy costs will have a profound impact on the lives and the well-being of those people, many of whom are the most marginalised, the most vulnerable, the most desperate of our constituents.”

Backing his party’s amendment calling for accessible and affordable transport for all, Labour’s Paul Sweeney told MSPs that the idea it was unaffordable was “simply for the birds.”

Moving the SNP amendment calling on the UK government to boost asylum support, Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said that her government “remain committed to trying to find a way through the budget processes” to fund the policy.

With both amendments accepted, the SNP backed the motion while Labour’s 20 abstained, leaving only the Tories opposing as it passed 68 votes to 27.

The Scottish Refugee Council’s Gary Christie said: “Banned from working and living on as little as £1.36 a day, access to public transport would mean no longer having to choose between buying food or travelling to a doctor’s appointment.

“Today’s recommitment to a pilot in the Scottish Parliament is welcome, but if ministers truly intend to deliver on their promise, people seeking asylum need urgent clarity on exactly when and how they plan to move forward.”