Glasgow is set to spend more than £75 million on homelessness next year, a significant portion of which relates to refugees. Council leader Susan Aitken has written a warning letter to the Scottish Government stating that “community cohesion” is at risk unless the situation is resolved.
Pressure on Glasgow's communities
The problem is partly attributed to the Home Office attempting to clear the asylum backlog and close hotels without fully considering the consequences. Ministers have created a refugee homelessness crisis by shifting responsibility onto councils.
The Scottish Government is also accused of making Glasgow a magnet for refugees through liberal housing rules that encourage refugees and those granted leave to remain in the UK to seek homes in the city. Local residents lose out as vital funding that could improve their lives is diverted away from their communities.
Political engagement and reform calls
The one positive from this situation is that political parties are now engaging with the issue rather than ignoring it. Refugees are not to blame for Glasgow’s funding crisis; the real culprits are Holyrood and Westminster politicians who have allowed the situation to fester.
Dispersal policy must be reformed to ease pressure on Glasgow and other hard-pressed communities. Homelessness laws should also be tightened to give the city breathing room and prioritise local people. A failure to listen would embolden right-wing rabble rousers like Nigel Farage.
City mayors proposed
Separately, Andy Burnham has been discussing with John Swinney the need for city mayors in Scotland. There is a widespread view that plenty of well-paid politicians already exist, but directly elected local champions could cut through red tape and revitalise cities.
Scotland is currently stuck in a period of low growth and political stagnation. Investment in new industries is desperately needed to bring well-paid jobs. Mayors in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen might be what is needed to get things moving.
Making Scotland better and richer was meant to be the job of the Scottish Parliament, so a radical shake-up for cities may be due.
