The Home Office has earmarked a military barracks in Inverness to temporarily house about 300 asylum seekers, as Glasgow struggles with a surge in refugees. Cameron Barracks in the city centre will accommodate those awaiting processing, with many expected to later move to the Central Belt, particularly Glasgow.
Glasgow has become the UK's asylum capital, hosting over 4,000 of Scotland's 5,000 asylum seekers. The SNP-led council faces a legal obligation to house homeless refugees, regardless of local connection, leading to expensive hotel placements. The number of refugees processed outside Scotland who then travel to Glasgow to declare homelessness is set to double this year to around 2,000.
Council leader Susan Aitken has warned the situation is 'unsustainable' and poses a 'real risk to the order and cohesion of our communities'. The council may need to impose cuts of up to £66 million next year or raise council tax by 20% to cover hotel bills, as refugees are not eligible for housing benefit.
Abdul Bangura, a Sierra Leonean badminton player who came to the UK for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and claimed asylum, recently received leave to remain after three years. He said he knows others who have waited seven years. The UK Government aims to reduce hotel use and speed up processing, but the number of refugees requiring housing is expected to rise over winter.
