Title

IMMIGRATION

Glasgow bids to pilot asylum reforms

A Scottish council hopes to pilot a scheme enabling asylum seekers to work while their applications are processed.

A Scottish council hopes to pilot a scheme enabling asylum seekers to work while their applications are processed.

Chaired by Glasgow City Council chief executive Annemarie O'Donnell, a taskforce including the Scottish Government has recommended allowing asylum seekers to work after six months.

Under the current system, a limited number of asylum seekers with specific skills can request permission to work if their claim takes over a year to be processed, but permission is rarely granted.

The taskforce, which includes the Scottish Refugee Council and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, has also proposed allowing asylum seekers to be able to register in regional centres rather than forcing them to travel to Croydon in south London at their own expense.

Ms O'Donnell said: ‘When people come to our city looking for help, Glaswegians want to ensure we do everything we can to assist them.

‘I am confident that the recommendations in this report and the work that we will now do together will allow us to do much more to support some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum in the UK and in our city.'

The taskforce was established following controversy over plans to evict refused asylum seekers in Glasgow by Serco, which is now subject to legal proceedings.

It aims to 'recalibrate' the relationship between local authorities, the Home Office and contractors, and improve information sharing.

The Home Office will make a decision on which reccomendations are implemented.

IMMIGRATION

Urging for a fairer urban future

By Ann McGauran | 17 November 2025

Parliamentary chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) Sally Jameson warns that changes in the fair funding reforms are set to s...

IMMIGRATION

Rival bids see Norfolk clash over public sector reform

By Joe Lepper | 13 November 2025

Public sector reform has emerged as a key battleground among rival local reorganisation bids in the county of Norfolk.

IMMIGRATION

Nine local councils will support local authorities to improve outcomes for children

By Nimal Jude | 11 November 2025

Nimal Jude introduces a new national programme to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making across children's services.

IMMIGRATION

Lessons from private and public sector leadership crossover

By Jes Ladva | 04 November 2025

Ensuring a leadership flow between the private and public sectors is one way to maximise the value of talent. Odgers recently held a round table with The MJ ...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford