Glasgow's incoming SNP leader, Ricky Bell, has called on First Minister John Swinney to implement a national strategy to address the city's escalating refugee housing crisis. Bell stated that Glasgow is disproportionately bearing the burden for the entire country and that the costs associated with supporting asylum seekers and refugees should be managed on a regional basis rather than falling solely on Glasgow's taxpayers.
Bell, who is set to replace Susan Aitken as the leader of the SNP group on Glasgow City Council next week, made the plea following a warning from the Accounts Commission that the council is facing a critical financial juncture. The watchdog indicated a budget gap of £110 million for the current and upcoming years, citing increased demand for homelessness services and equal pay reforms as significant factors.
Spending on homelessness services in Glasgow has risen sharply, projected to reach nearly £75 million by 2027-28, a substantial increase from £38 million last year. This surge is partly attributed to Glasgow housing a significant portion of Scotland's asylum seeker population. As of the end of June, Glasgow housed 3,774 asylum seekers, representing 58% of Scotland's total, or 58 per 10,000 residents.
While the UK government funds asylum seekers' initial accommodation, individuals granted leave to remain become the council's responsibility if they are homeless. In the six months leading up to September 2025, approximately 43% of homeless applications in Glasgow were from refugee families, compared to 15% across Scotland.
Bell suggested reinstating the local connection rule, which was abolished in 2022 and requires individuals to have a demonstrated link to a specific area to apply for support. This rule, which remains in place in England and Wales, could limit where homeless individuals can seek assistance. Bell argued that the Scottish government must either alter legislation or provide adequate funding for the outcomes of existing policies.
"The government either needs to change the legislation or fund the outcomes of that legislation. And at the moment, we’re kind of in the middle of that, and they’re doing neither," Bell stated. He also proposed merging Glasgow with neighboring councils to create a "bigger Glasgow" to enhance financial stability and public services.
Conservative MSP James Adams agreed that Glasgow carries a significant burden but criticized the SNP government's policies, including the removal of local connection rules and budget cuts, for exacerbating the problem. He urged the reinstatement of local connection rules and proper funding for councils.
Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord accused First Minister John Swinney of overseeing a flawed housing system that prioritizes newcomers over local residents. He contended that the removal of the local connection rule has facilitated an influx of migrants, negatively impacting Glasgow's finances and social cohesion.
However, Swinney rejected the idea of reinstating the local connection rule, stating it would not address the core issue. He affirmed his commitment to working closely with Glasgow City Council and other local authorities to maximize financial support. Swinney also placed blame on the UK government for the rapid processing of asylum decisions, leading to increased numbers of homeless refugees without adequate financial support for public services.
A UK government spokesperson responded by outlining their commitment to transitioning asylum seekers from hotels to alternative accommodation, including former military sites, and working with local authorities to house asylum seekers across the country while mitigating community impacts.