Yousaf told to take on more migrants in Scottish capital

Humza Yousaf has been told by The Home Secretary that he should take on more migrants and house them on a cruise ship in Edinburgh.

In a letter sent on the 16th of February James Cleverly said Scotland had taken proportionately half the number of asylum seekers given accommodation in England, and asked that efforts be made to speed up asylum accommodation in Scotland.

Holyrood have been asked to to revisit options in the country by Mr Cleverly including “plans last summer to use MS Victoria in Edinburgh, which unfortunately we could not obtain agreement on”.

A statement shared by The Scottish Government read: “The Home Office is responsible for provision of asylum accommodation, including hotels procured as contingency initial asylum accommodation. Ministers have been clear that the UK Government needs to respect the important role of local authorities in asylum dispersal and should provide more financial support for them as it presses ahead with plans to close asylum hotels.

“Scotland has consistently played its part in supporting asylum dispersal since it was introduced over two decades ago. We are committed to supporting people to integrate into our communities and to providing the safety and security they need as they begin to rebuild their lives.

“Scotland is offering sanctuary to more than double the displaced Ukrainians per head of population than any other part of the UK, with more than 39,000 people with a Scottish sponsor being granted a visa, and more than 26,000 of those having arrived in the UK via a Scottish sponsor, with over 20,000 as a direct result of the Scottish Government acting as a super sponsor.

“As we did with the Syrian and Ukrainian Resettlement programmes, which saw all 32 local authorities in Scotland participate and welcome displaced people into their communities, Scotland stands ready to offer refuge and sanctuary for those who are displaced.

“From the outset of the conflict in Gaza, the Scottish Government has called on the UK Government to use its existing UK Resettlement Scheme, and ensure it is aligned with UNHCR to provide those who want to leave with the support they require.

“We have received the Home Secretary’s letter and will respond in due course.”