Tories call for scrapping of free bus travel for asylum seekers to fund OAP payout

The Greens called the comments “shameful” and accused the Tory of “trying to punish, scapegoat and pit marginalised groups against another.”

Shona Robison set aside £464 million to fund the Network Support Grant and concessionary travel schemes in her tax and spending plans. This included £415m for concessionary fares, a 12% increase on the £370m allocated in the previous year.

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The scheme already provides free bus travel for those under 22, older people, and those with eligible disabilities.

Extending it to cover asylum seekers was a key demand of the Scottish Greens in pre-budget negotiations with the minority SNP government.

Last year then-first minister Humza Yousaf announced that £2m had been set aside for a scheme, telling MSPs that it was the “next step in making sure that our transport system, our country is fair and accessible to all”.

A 12-week pilot, led by Refugee Sanctuary Scotland, provided 150 asylum seekers in Glasgow with free bus travel last year.

However, the plans were ditched nine months later as part of wider spending cuts.

In her budget, Ms Robison also gave more details on the Scottish Government’s new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP), which will see all pensioners households in Scotland receive at least £100.

Households receiving qualifying benefits, primarily Pension Credit, will receive higher payments of £203.40 or £305.10.

In July, Rachel Reeves announced a cut to the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) to pensioners in England and Wales as part of her plan to tackle a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.

Instead of all pensioners receiving the annual payout, it only went to those on pension credit.

At the time, SNP ministers said the change left them with a £160m funding shortfall for their own equivalent devolved benefit, which was due to start this year.

They said they had little choice but to follow suit.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) estimates that the Scottish Government’s decision to restore a universal winter heating payment to all pensioners will cost £69m more than the associated funding from the UK Government in 2025-26.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Findlay questioned whether giving asylum seekers free bus travel was “the right thing to do” at a time when the public finances are tight.

He added: “I think if you took that money that would pay for the winter fuel payment in full for 6,000 Scottish pensioners who are in desperate need of it. That’s a much better way of spending that money.”

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Polls suggest that the reintroduction of free bus travel for asylum seekers is unpopular, being backed by only 25% of people in a Norstat survey for the Sunday Times. Some 48% opposed.

However, campaigners say it is a vital service that would stop people being forced to choose between eating and using public transport to get meetings with GPs and lawyers.

The Home Office provides £49.18 per week to asylum seekers in self-catered accommodation, while those in hotels get £8.86 per week.

A First Glasgow day ticket is £5.60. The same ticket type for Lothian Buses costs £5.

Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “Even by Russell Findlay’s standards this is shameful.

“The Tories have never seen a minority group they didn’t want to punch down on. They are constantly trying to punish, scapegoat and pit marginalised groups against another.

“Free bus travel for people seeking asylum is a small and compassionate change that would make a big difference to the lives of people who have fled war, conflict and dreadful circumstances. 

“We should welcome, protect and support those who seek safety on our shores. We should also look after our elderly population – particularly after 14 years of Tory austerity and cuts and when Keir Starmer has chosen to cut Winter Fuel Payments.

“There doesn’t need to be a choice. It isn’t either or. We can, should and must do both. 

“There is plenty of wealth to go round – we must just share it out more evenly.”

“I urge Russell Findlay to reflect, show some self-awareness and ask himself if this is really the kind of cruel, divisive and nasty politics that he wants to define his leadership and his party.”