Meeting of the Parliament 17 June 2014
If that is really the case, I will have to come back to the minister at another time with an answer to that. All I know is that what I said is true.
Dawn raids on failed asylum seekers is also a real issue of concern that has been voiced in this Parliament in previous years. Indeed, I have voiced concerns about that myself. Again, we would want to see such raids used only as a last resort. However, where a family has chosen to break the law and defy the decisions of UK courts, we have to allow the agencies time and space to carry out operations to rectify that situation and ensure compliance with our laws. The timing of such operations will depend on a number of factors including the safety of the family and others and any concerns that the police and others raise around public order.
On the issue of allowing asylum seekers to work, the UK Government is clear that the purpose of the current policy is to deter economic migration through the asylum route. Economic migration comes through other routes.
On the level of financial benefits that are provided to asylum seekers in the UK in addition to the free accommodation and utilities that are provided by the Government, I am aware of the recent court ruling on the subject, and the Home Office is considering a range of options. Again, it wants to avoid doing anything that might encourage economic migration through asylum. Those who are granted refugee status can, of course, access welfare benefits and tax credits just as UK nationals can, as well as entering the labour market.
I pay tribute to those charities in Scotland that work with genuine asylum seekers and refugees. We should all commend the good work that they undertake. We are supportive of moves to encourage refugees to integrate with our communities. In that respect, we agree with the “New Scots” document and we recognise the positive part that they can play in society. I hope that the Government will continue to work with other EU countries, as it is doing, to do something about the disasters at sea in which so many unfortunate people have been drowned.
My amendment emphasises the need to ensure that our asylum system is “efficient ... and fair” and deals with cases in the shortest possible time so that some of the problems that we will hear about today are not suffered by asylum seekers who have to wait months for a decision to be made.
I move amendment S4M-10347.1, to leave out from first “believes” to end and insert:
“recognises the excellent work of local authorities and third sector organisations in supporting asylum seekers and refugees, and supports the work being done by the UK Government to improve the asylum system so that it is efficient, humane and fair and focuses on helping genuine asylum seekers and refugees”.
15:39Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.