Current status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 23 September 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide additional protection for locations where asylum seekers are living either permanently or temporarily, in light of the reported recent increase in violence and intimidation surrounding such properties.
Asylum is reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office. This includes provision of asylum accommodation and support to people who would otherwise be destitute while waiting for a decision on their asylum application. Asylum accommodation is therefore provided by the UK Government to those who are eligible whilst in the asylum system and is managed under UK Government contracts.
The Scottish Government works closely with the Home Office, Local Authorities and Police Scotland to monitor activities surrounding community cohesion and protest activity. Police Scotland has existing powers to respond to instances of violence and intimidation within communities. There are no plans to introduce additional specific protection measures at asylum accommodation.