Under fire housing firm says move away from asylum seeker home management is not because of complaints

The Herald reports that Serco is seeking to take over the housing provided by Orchard & Shipman, to whom it subcontracts its asylum housing contracts in Scotland. A property company being paid millions of pounds in public money to provide … Continue reading →

Is the UK’s system of asylum support fit for purpose?

Liam Kirkaldy writes for “Holyrood” (Scotland’s award winning current affairs magazine): With destitution among asylum seekers increasing, how could the system be made to work better?  13 July 2016 was the most important day of Theresa May’s career. Elected to Parliament … Continue reading →

Bringing borders into the classroom – transforming school administrators into immigration border guards

The Department of Education is asking all children, aged 2 to 19, in schools in England to bring their passports and birth certificates to prove their nationality and country of birth. From this term schools must record the nationality and … Continue reading →

Rats in the yard: 4 years of UK asylum housing by G4S

On 13 September 2016, John Grayson wrote for Open Democracy on the provision of housing for asylum seekers by private landlords: “Today, yet again, a Parliamentary committee will hear how commercial landlords are failing asylum seeker tenants. And then what? … Continue reading →

Serco “happy” to lose £145 million

Outsourcing giant Serco are “happy” to lose £145m on its contract to provide housing for asylum seekers, rather than risk jeopardising their other contracts with the Government, its CEO said. Rupert Soames, grandson of Sir Winston Churchill and brother of … Continue reading →

Reduced Drop In Service Tomorrow

There will be a reduced drop in service tomorrow due to staff shortage. Please only come down and see us if it’s an emergency. Agencies – please refer by email or phone anyone who needs assistance: info@asha.gmiau.org or 0161 227 … Continue reading →

New guidance issued to housing staff working with refugees

A new guide to ensure refugees’ right to quality accommodation is upheld has been issued to housing professionals. Published by the Scottish Refugee Council with the support of the Scottish government and the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, the updated guide aims to ensure that all refugees … Continue reading →