Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Background

The Committee is undertaking an inquiry on asylum seekers in Scotland. While housing asylum seekers is a reserved matter, the Committee would like to understand:

• what rights asylum seekers in Scotland have
• what public resources are available to asylum seekers
• the experiences of people seeking, granted and refused asylum

To get this understanding, the Committee will focus its inquiry on:

• the impact of current Home Office policy and legislation on asylum seekers in Scotland
• the impact of the current system on local communities and race relations
• the role of local and devolved government
• the role of private contractors
• the most effective use of public funding

The Committee plans to hear from groups representing asylum seekers and communities where asylum seekers live.

It will also hear from:

• charities and community organisations supporting asylum seekers
• human rights organisations
• public authorities with a responsibility for asylum seekers in Scotland