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Refused asylum seekers allegedly locked out of their homes in Glasgow Refused asylum seekers allegedly locked out of their homes in Glasgow
(6 months later)
Allegations that asylum seekers in Glasgow faced being locked out of their homes after their applications were turned down, in breach of guidelines, are to be investigated by MPs.Allegations that asylum seekers in Glasgow faced being locked out of their homes after their applications were turned down, in breach of guidelines, are to be investigated by MPs.
Leaked emails and policy papers from the housing provider Orchard & Shipman (O&S) suggest the company told its staff to change locks on asylum seekers’ homes as soon as possible after they were refused leave to stay in the UK.Leaked emails and policy papers from the housing provider Orchard & Shipman (O&S) suggest the company told its staff to change locks on asylum seekers’ homes as soon as possible after they were refused leave to stay in the UK.
The emails, which listed a group of 10 properties and a further six under the subject line “lock changes”, said occupants listed as “overstayers” would be warned that they had to vacate. One email, leaked to BBC Scotland, said: “If they do not move, perform a lock change at the first available opportunity.”The emails, which listed a group of 10 properties and a further six under the subject line “lock changes”, said occupants listed as “overstayers” would be warned that they had to vacate. One email, leaked to BBC Scotland, said: “If they do not move, perform a lock change at the first available opportunity.”
Guidelines issued to O&S in 2012 by the services company Serco, which pays it £221m to run accommodation for asylum seekers in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said overstayers ought to be given 21 days to find alternative homes.Guidelines issued to O&S in 2012 by the services company Serco, which pays it £221m to run accommodation for asylum seekers in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said overstayers ought to be given 21 days to find alternative homes.
Related: Cardiff council tells Lynx House to cut asylum seeker overcrowding
A former O&S employee, Shafiq Mohammed, told BBC Scotland that its staff would sometimes “look at a time to catch them [the asylum seeker] when they’re out to just change the locks. It’s as simple and brutal as that.”A former O&S employee, Shafiq Mohammed, told BBC Scotland that its staff would sometimes “look at a time to catch them [the asylum seeker] when they’re out to just change the locks. It’s as simple and brutal as that.”
The allegations have been denied by O&S, which insisted that none of the tenants in the properties listed in the emails had been evicted in such a way, and that the company would house unsuccessful applicants at its own expense.The allegations have been denied by O&S, which insisted that none of the tenants in the properties listed in the emails had been evicted in such a way, and that the company would house unsuccessful applicants at its own expense.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs committee, said he was troubled by the allegations and would be approaching O&S for comment. “It does sound very serious indeed,” he said, adding that leaving people homeless “was just not acceptable”.Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs committee, said he was troubled by the allegations and would be approaching O&S for comment. “It does sound very serious indeed,” he said, adding that leaving people homeless “was just not acceptable”.
Vaz said the allegations had emerged as his committee finalised a report on its investigation into a housing controversy in Middlesbrough, where asylum seekers’ doors were painted red, and in Cardiff, where they had to wear coloured wristbands to claim meals.Vaz said the allegations had emerged as his committee finalised a report on its investigation into a housing controversy in Middlesbrough, where asylum seekers’ doors were painted red, and in Cardiff, where they had to wear coloured wristbands to claim meals.
The report was due out on Friday, Vaz said, but he was keen to expand the committee’s investigation to include this case.The report was due out on Friday, Vaz said, but he was keen to expand the committee’s investigation to include this case.
“We’re pretty keen to look at this whole issue again, because it does need to be seen in light of the context of what’s seen elsewhere. We do have an asylum crisis, but they do have to be treated in a humane way,” he said.“We’re pretty keen to look at this whole issue again, because it does need to be seen in light of the context of what’s seen elsewhere. We do have an asylum crisis, but they do have to be treated in a humane way,” he said.
Shane Spiers, chief executive of O&S, said: “We are confident that we are acting legally and meeting all our contractual obligations; we also go beyond what is required at our own expense and provide support to asylum seekers whose application to stay in this country has been refused by the government.Shane Spiers, chief executive of O&S, said: “We are confident that we are acting legally and meeting all our contractual obligations; we also go beyond what is required at our own expense and provide support to asylum seekers whose application to stay in this country has been refused by the government.
“Orchard & Shipman are currently housing around 40 refused asylum seekers, the most vulnerable including elderly, disabled [people] and families with children. The longest refused asylum seeker has been housed by us for around two years beyond his refused asylum application.”“Orchard & Shipman are currently housing around 40 refused asylum seekers, the most vulnerable including elderly, disabled [people] and families with children. The longest refused asylum seeker has been housed by us for around two years beyond his refused asylum application.”