The_DADDY Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 A comittment to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in Scotland will be revived by 2026, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said. Her comments came as MSPs voted in favour of a motion brought by the Scottish Greens calling for the policy to return "as soon as possible". The Scottish government axed the policy in August as part of a series of cuts to public spending. At a debate at Holyrood, Hyslop said she recognised the "frustration, disappointment and anger" and said ministers would find money to fund the scheme in future. The motion to reinstate the policy passed by 68 votes to 27, with 20 abstentions. However, the vote is non-binding and ministers do not have to act on the decision. The Scottish Greens said they welcomed Hyslop's words, but said a "plan of action" must now be put into place. Maggie Chapman, the party's justice and equality spokeswoman, said: "Now, if ever, is the time for Scotland's rhetoric to become reality. "It is not at times of plenty that our promises are tested, but days like these, when temptation to abandon them is strongest." Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said asylum seekers were among the "most vulnerable" people in society, and were forced to live on around £8 a day, which would barely cover a bus ticket around Glasgow. Campaigners previously said free bus travel would help prevent isolation among people in the asylum system and allow them to attend GPs, solicitors, language lessons and volunteering projects. Hyslop said the scheme had the potential to be "transformative" for helping asylum seekers integrate into their communities. But she said the Scottish government only had "limited tools" to do so due to funding from the UK government. Claire Baker of Scottish Labour called this an attempt to "deflect" blame and said the Westminster government was already taking steps to help refugees. People in the asylum system are unable to work under UK employment law. The Scottish Conservatives said the Scottish Parliament had "lost the plot" by debating the issue at the same time some pensioners are losing winter fuel payments. Their transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: "We all want to do right by asylum seekers and help people in need – but it’s on every politician in this building to spend public money on the biggest challenges facing our country. “No wonder so many people feel that this parliament doesn’t stand up for them or represent their interests." Around £2m had been set aside to pay for the bus travel scheme when it was first announced. An amendment calling on UK ministers to provide adequate funding for asylum seekers also passed, as did a further amendment by Labour calling for public transport to be affordable also passed. Some people seeking asylum will be eligible for existing free bus travel schemes, including those under 22 and over 60 years old, and people with disabilities. Ive a feeling this will be quite unpopular in some quarters. Your thoughts? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79nj1yxrq4o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollingJ Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 It is Scotland, so personally... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister M Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 If some people are forced to live on £8 a day, then giving them free bus travel seems quite a humane thing to do. It's not as if they're being allowed to work their way out of their situation. And besides which, I do know that asylum seekers have to prove their whereabouts and register at an office frequently, or at least they used to. So it makes sense that they shouldn't be penalised for complying with the rules. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavery549@yahoo Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 2 hours ago, The_DADDY said: A comittment to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in Scotland will be revived by 2026, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said. Her comments came as MSPs voted in favour of a motion brought by the Scottish Greens calling for the policy to return "as soon as possible". The Scottish government axed the policy in August as part of a series of cuts to public spending. At a debate at Holyrood, Hyslop said she recognised the "frustration, disappointment and anger" and said ministers would find money to fund the scheme in future. The motion to reinstate the policy passed by 68 votes to 27, with 20 abstentions. However, the vote is non-binding and ministers do not have to act on the decision. The Scottish Greens said they welcomed Hyslop's words, but said a "plan of action" must now be put into place. Maggie Chapman, the party's justice and equality spokeswoman, said: "Now, if ever, is the time for Scotland's rhetoric to become reality. "It is not at times of plenty that our promises are tested, but days like these, when temptation to abandon them is strongest." Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said asylum seekers were among the "most vulnerable" people in society, and were forced to live on around £8 a day, which would barely cover a bus ticket around Glasgow. Campaigners previously said free bus travel would help prevent isolation among people in the asylum system and allow them to attend GPs, solicitors, language lessons and volunteering projects. Hyslop said the scheme had the potential to be "transformative" for helping asylum seekers integrate into their communities. But she said the Scottish government only had "limited tools" to do so due to funding from the UK government. Claire Baker of Scottish Labour called this an attempt to "deflect" blame and said the Westminster government was already taking steps to help refugees. People in the asylum system are unable to work under UK employment law. The Scottish Conservatives said the Scottish Parliament had "lost the plot" by debating the issue at the same time some pensioners are losing winter fuel payments. Their transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: "We all want to do right by asylum seekers and help people in need – but it’s on every politician in this building to spend public money on the biggest challenges facing our country. “No wonder so many people feel that this parliament doesn’t stand up for them or represent their interests." Around £2m had been set aside to pay for the bus travel scheme when it was first announced. An amendment calling on UK ministers to provide adequate funding for asylum seekers also passed, as did a further amendment by Labour calling for public transport to be affordable also passed. Some people seeking asylum will be eligible for existing free bus travel schemes, including those under 22 and over 60 years old, and people with disabilities. Ive a feeling this will be quite unpopular in some quarters. Your thoughts? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79nj1yxrq4o OOOOO , I know , drop em off in the middle of the Highlands 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longcol Posted October 10 Share Posted October 10 3 hours ago, lavery549@yahoo said: OOOOO , I know , drop em off in the middle of the Highlands 😆 And make em live on a diet of porridge, haggis, tatties, neeps and deep fried mars bars 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spilldig Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 9 hours ago, Longcol said: And make em live on a diet of porridge, haggis, tatties, neeps and deep fried mars bars Nowt wrong wi a haggis if you can catch one . They're fast little buggers.😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz 786 Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 16 hours ago, The_DADDY said: A comittment to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in Scotland will be revived by 2026, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said. Her comments came as MSPs voted in favour of a motion brought by the Scottish Greens calling for the policy to return "as soon as possible". The Scottish government axed the policy in August as part of a series of cuts to public spending. At a debate at Holyrood, Hyslop said she recognised the "frustration, disappointment and anger" and said ministers would find money to fund the scheme in future. The motion to reinstate the policy passed by 68 votes to 27, with 20 abstentions. However, the vote is non-binding and ministers do not have to act on the decision. The Scottish Greens said they welcomed Hyslop's words, but said a "plan of action" must now be put into place. Maggie Chapman, the party's justice and equality spokeswoman, said: "Now, if ever, is the time for Scotland's rhetoric to become reality. "It is not at times of plenty that our promises are tested, but days like these, when temptation to abandon them is strongest." Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said asylum seekers were among the "most vulnerable" people in society, and were forced to live on around £8 a day, which would barely cover a bus ticket around Glasgow. Campaigners previously said free bus travel would help prevent isolation among people in the asylum system and allow them to attend GPs, solicitors, language lessons and volunteering projects. Hyslop said the scheme had the potential to be "transformative" for helping asylum seekers integrate into their communities. But she said the Scottish government only had "limited tools" to do so due to funding from the UK government. Claire Baker of Scottish Labour called this an attempt to "deflect" blame and said the Westminster government was already taking steps to help refugees. People in the asylum system are unable to work under UK employment law. The Scottish Conservatives said the Scottish Parliament had "lost the plot" by debating the issue at the same time some pensioners are losing winter fuel payments. Their transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: "We all want to do right by asylum seekers and help people in need – but it’s on every politician in this building to spend public money on the biggest challenges facing our country. “No wonder so many people feel that this parliament doesn’t stand up for them or represent their interests." Around £2m had been set aside to pay for the bus travel scheme when it was first announced. An amendment calling on UK ministers to provide adequate funding for asylum seekers also passed, as did a further amendment by Labour calling for public transport to be affordable also passed. Some people seeking asylum will be eligible for existing free bus travel schemes, including those under 22 and over 60 years old, and people with disabilities. Ive a feeling this will be quite unpopular in some quarters. Your thoughts? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79nj1yxrq4o Why not they get everything else freev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delayed Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 2 hours ago, gaz 786 said: Why not they get everything else freev Which, of course is blatantly untrue as well all know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prettytom Posted October 12 Share Posted October 12 20 hours ago, gaz 786 said: Why not they get everything else freev Giz a list Gaz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Bundy Posted October 12 Share Posted October 12 44 minutes ago, Prettytom said: Giz a list Gaz. You’ll be given somewhere to live if you need it. This could be in a flat, house, hostel or bed and breakfast. You’ll usually get £49.18 for each person in your household. This will help you pay for things you need like food, clothing and toiletries. You’ll get extra money to buy healthy food if you’re pregnant or a mother of a child aged 3 or under. You may get free National Health Service (NHS) healthcare, such as to see a doctor or get hospital treatment. You’ll also get: free prescriptions for medicine free dental care for your teeth free eyesight tests help paying for glasses You apply for the maternity grant in the same way whether you’re still an asylum seeker or you’ve been refused asylum. You can apply for a one-off £300 maternity payment if your baby is due in 11 weeks or less, or if your baby is under 6 months old. You may be able to get housing and money to support you and your family while you’re waiting to find out if you’ll be given asylum. This also means your children will go to a free state school and you may get free healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS). Not bad for starters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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