Scottish Greens to bring vote on free bus travel for people seeking asylum U-turn

07 Oct 2024
Transport

The Scottish Government must restore the promise it made for free bus travel for people seeking asylum.

The Scottish Greens will use an opposition debate on Wednesday to hold a vote on restoring Scotland’s commitment to introduce free bus travel for people seeking asylum by 2026.

The policy, which was dropped by the Scottish Government in August, was originally secured by the Scottish Greens in October 2023 as part of the Bute House Agreement that brought the party into government for the first time. 

The commitment followed a long cross-party campaign by refugee-rights organisations and a successful pilot programme in Glasgow.  

The debate, which will be led by party’s equalities spokesperson Maggie Chapman, and transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell, will be the first chance that MSPs have had to vote on the U-turn.

Mr Ruskell said: “The decision to drop this pledge was shameful, and deeply disappointing. As a country, we have a moral responsibility to support and protect people who seek safety here.

“The Scottish Government has chosen to break a promise to some of the most marginalised people in our society.

“The UK’s asylum system leaves people seeking asylum in state-sanctioned poverty – forced to survive on barely £50 a week and banned from working whilst waiting for a decision on their application for protection. 

“Free bus travel would be a small and compassionate change that would make a big difference to the lives of people seeking sanctuary in Scotland.

“There has been a long standing cross party support for this change, and I hope that MSPs from all parties will come together this week in calling for it to be restored.”

Mr Ruskell added: “The Scottish Government has said that it can’t afford to deliver the scheme that it promised, but the cost would be a tiny fraction of its budget and would go a long way to reflecting the welcoming and compassionate country that we want to be.

“When people have been forced to escape from war, persecution and suffering, Scotland should step up, offer solidarity, and help people rebuild their lives here. 

“It is not too late for the Scottish Government to think again, and to make good on the promises that it made.”