Every Scots council would house asylum seekers under plans to increase numbers by over 60%, the Record can reveal.
A paper by local authority chiefs reveals the new approach would see Scotland’s share of applicants rise from 5,521 to 9,000. Only eight councils currently host asylum seekers north of the border, with Glasgow taking the biggest amount by far.
Home Office Ministers want a fairer distribution across the UK by widening the dispersal policy.
A paper by council umbrella group COSLA states: “All local authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales will be expected to participate in a new system of full dispersal to allow us to move from hotels to less expensive and more suitable dispersed accommodation.”
“There is an expectation that by December 2023 there will be 9% of the total population of eligible asylum seekers in Scotland. On current Home Office modelling this equates to 9000 people, which is a significant increase of c. 3500 people.”
A breakdown shows Edinburgh’s share would jump from 41 to 437, while in Dundee the figure would rise to 123 from zero.
North Lanarkshire’s asylum population would move from zero to 282 and neighbouring South Lanarkshire would jump from 65 to 266. Aberdeenshire’s projected figure would increase to 216.
If the plan is approved, private provider Mears and the Home Office would procure the bed spaces in each local authority.
The paper noted: “As a principle for moving forward, it is proposed that all 32 local authorities participate in dispersal and take their proportionate share of the dispersed asylum population, but that this expansion takes place in a phased way.”
COSLA will consider the plan next week. Councils are already partners in schemes to resettle Afghan citizens and people from Ukraine fleeing Russia’s invasion.
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, who supports free bus travel for asylum seekers in Scotland, said: “This is an issue that has been of concern for almost a year after the UK Government announced it would place an obligation on all councils in the UK to take part in the dispersal scheme.
"I raised it with the Scottish Government at the time, and it’s welcome to see that COSLA is now looking at how the expansion would be implemented.
“For years, Glasgow has taken the vast majority of asylum seekers who come to Scotland. It’s vital that both the Scottish and UK Governments provide financial and operational support to local authorities as they begin the process of accepting asylum seekers.”
Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “Scotland is one of the most welcoming places for asylum seekers - when people are forced from their homes by war or natural disasters Scots are always among the first who want to help.
“But it won’t be simple because we know that the existing Home Office programmes are failing in many ways.
“It is imperative that the Home Office properly resource all local authorities and make sure they can provide what is needed now - and ensure that the future needs are met.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government supports the widening of asylum dispersal in principle, but believes participation by local authorities should be voluntary.
“The Home Office has informed the Scottish Government of plans to provide funding for local authorities, both to recognise the work of local authorities like Glasgow which accept asylum dispersal and to encourage new participation.
“Whilst a positive step, this needs to be a long term commitment to ensure it works for councils and local communities as well as ensuring improved support for people seeking asylum.”
COSLA has been contacted for comment.
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