Glasgow City Council has warned that a change in Home Office rules that halves the period people granted asylum can remain in official accommodation could trigger a “disastrous” surge in homelessness in the city, as refugees and other migrants seek housing in Scotland.
Susan Aitken, leader of the SNP-run council, said the reduction from 56 to 28 days — a measure that took effect on Sept. 1 — risks prompting large numbers of newly recognised refugees to move north because Scottish law guarantees a legal right to housing. English councils are required to provide housing only to those judged to be in "priority need," such as parents with dependent children.
Glasgow already hosts the highest number of asylum seekers per capita in the United Kingdom, with 4,023 people registered — the equivalent of about 65 per 10,000 residents. Council officials say the city has begun attracting homeless refugees from other parts of the UK, including Belfast, Birmingham and London, placing "unprecedented" strain on local services.
The local authority has previously warned of a funding gap of about £110 million for homelessness services over the next two years and has asked the British government for extra funding to avoid the housing emergency worsening. Charities and tenant groups in Scotland have echoed calls for additional support and a fairer dispersal system to reduce pressure on Glasgow.
"This is a decision that reeks of panic and pandering," Aitken said, criticizing the Home Office move to halve the so-called "move-on" period. "It's hard to see it being anything other than disastrous for refugees and for the communities trying to support them when the Home Office washes its hands."
The British Red Cross warned that cutting the move-on period would increase homelessness and destitution for people granted protection and would place additional pressure on local authorities. Sean Clerkin of the Scottish Tenants Organisation called on both the British and Scottish governments to treat Glasgow as a special case and provide more funding for housing.
There have been recent anti-migration demonstrations outside hotels used for asylum accommodation in Perth, Aberdeenshire and Falkirk. Local politicians have expressed sharply differing views on how to respond.
Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy accused the SNP of encouraging a rise in arrivals by promoting a welcoming stance and said that could fuel resentment among long-term residents and legal migrants waiting for social housing. "If illegal immigrants are going to the front of the queue for accommodation, it's inevitable this will cause resentment," he said, urging cooperation between the Scottish and UK governments.
The issue sits at the intersection of reserved UK immigration policy and devolved responsibilities for services such as homelessness support, health and education. While immigration decisions are made in Westminster, the impacts play out in councils and public services across Scotland.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has signalled tougher action on migration at the UK level, saying the government could suspend visas for countries that refuse to take back nationals who have no legal basis to remain in Britain. Mahmood said she had reached an agreement with counterparts from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to boost returns of foreign nationals, though Downing Street later clarified that any visa restrictions would be imposed by Britain alone and not by partner countries.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the announcement as "shameless spin" and questioned what practical effect the agreement would have. Observers have warned that targeted visa restrictions could provoke retaliatory measures from affected countries, with potential implications for trade and education.
Council and charity leaders in Glasgow say immediate practical measures are needed to avert a humanitarian emergency: more funding to expand homelessness services, a UK-wide dispersal system that sends asylum recipients to a broader range of places in Scotland, and better coordination between Westminster and Holyrood about the local impacts of national asylum policy.
As ministers consider options at the national level, Glasgow officials say their priority is ensuring people who are granted protection do not face immediate destitution. The council and third-sector groups urge that any tightening of move-on rules be accompanied by clear funding commitments and operational support to prevent a surge of rough sleeping and emergency accommodation across the city.
The coming weeks will test whether Whitehall and Holyrood can bridge policy divides and resource gaps as the new move-on timeframe is implemented and its effects become clearer at the local level.