UK Border Agency criticised over treatment of asylum seekers in Glasgow

A report has described the way asylum seekers were treated by the UK Border Agency in Glasgow as "inappropriate at best and callous and inhumane at worst".

The report, published by the Scottish Affairs Committee, criticises the manner in which the UKBA's London office handled notifying the Glasgow asylum seekers of changes to their housing provision, following the termination of the agency's contract with Glasgow City Council for housing refugees.

However, the Committee says that Immigration Minister Damian Green MP responded speedily and appropriately to the situation he had been put in.

It added that the lack of firm contingency plans at the time the contract was terminated is to be regretted, and the Committee remains unclear about issues around costs and savings, as well as being unable to clarify the complete financial situation around the accommodation contract.

Matters relating to the work of UKBA in Scotland will continue to be reviewed by the Committee, including the Family Return Project, and additional figures and information requested by the Committee.

Ian Davidson MP, Chair of the Committee, said: "A lesson in communication mismanagement has been amply demonstrated by UKBA in its handling of this case.

"We must not underestimate the distress and upset caused by UKBA's actions. However, we are reassured that the minister acted speedily and it is now important to look forward; a number of issues surfaced during our short inquiry which we feel require further examination and we plan to hold hearings on these in due course."