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.”