Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Stopping Illegal Immigration and Recognising its Impact on Housing

Russell Findlay S6M-19252 That the Parliament believes that illegal immigration must be stopped because of the damaging impact on public finances and local communities; recognises that the Scottish Government’s decision to suspend local connection rules in relation to homelessness provision back in 2022 has contributed towards attracting asylum seekers to Scotland at an unsustainable level, and calls on the Scottish Government to immediately reverse this decision. Further details available for S6M-19252 Màiri McAllan S6M-19252.5 As an amendment to motion S6M-19252 in the name of Russell Findlay (Stopping Illegal Immigration and Recognising its Impact on Housing), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “notes that the suspension of local connection referrals in 2022 did not change the rights of newly recognised refugees to choose where they settle in Scotland, nor did it prevent Scottish local authorities from referring households presenting as homeless to an English or Welsh local authority with which they have a local connection; reaffirms that Scotland is a welcoming nation to people fleeing persecution, seeking safety and who have been granted refugee status, ensuring that they can rebuild their lives in the country through the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy; highlights action in Scotland to tackle homelessness and destitution, including new prevention measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, increased investment in affordable homes and the £4 million investment in homelessness prevention pilots, alongside the extension of rapid rehousing transition plan funding of £8 million into 2026-27, and calls again on the UK Government to urgently uphold the European Convention on Human Rights, 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol.” Further details available for S6M-19252.5 Mark Griffin S6M-19252.4 As an amendment to motion S6M-19252 in the name of Russell Findlay (Stopping Illegal Immigration and Recognising its Impact on Housing), leave out from "because" to end and insert “; regrets that the previous UK Conservative administration left the immigration system in a state of collapse; recognises the progress made by the UK Labour administration to clear the backlog of asylum claims, and believes that the failure to tackle the challenges facing Scotland’s local authorities, public services and housing system, for which the Scottish Government has devolved responsibility and has received record levels of funding from the UK Government, is the root cause of the housing emergency.” Further details available for S6M-19252-4