Glasgow can be justifiably proud of its long record of offering sanctuary to people fleeing persecution around the world. But this welcoming and tolerant attitude has allowed complacency to creep in at local and national government level, with the city now expected to pick up the costs of an asylum policy that has been stretched to breaking point.
Unfair burden on Glasgow
Other local authorities house no refugees at all. The basic unfairness of this is plain to see. The SNP-led city council is teetering on the verge of effective bankruptcy and is already beholden to the SNP Government to bail it out over the soaring costs of offering emergency temporary accommodation to thousands of former asylum seekers who have been given the legal right to remain in the UK.
At a time when other local services have been axed or run down, there is, unfortunately, growing resentment over who gets access to housing and why. Meanwhile, the UK Government has spent years treating Glasgow as the quick-and-easy solution when it comes to housing refugees.
Political discourse hardens
As the political discourse over immigration has hardened, opposite sides in the debate have stuck their fingers in their ears and refused to engage.
Glasgow MP Dr Zubir Ahmed deserves huge credit for standing up and saying enough is enough.
Need for policy review
A temporary break on housing more asylum seekers in the city is a sensible plan. The SNP Government must also review its housing policies on who is considered a priority. Ignoring this issue is no longer an option.
The wider community, charities, the NHS and councils must offer support where needed. And there needs to be a recognition that none of us can do it alone.
