Serco pauses lock-change plans for legal challenge

Serco has announced it will pause plans to issue lock-change orders to tenants whose application for asylum has been refused ahead of a court challenge.

A legal team at Shelter Scotland, representing two of the asylum seekers facing eviction, is expected to present papers to Glasgow Sheriff Court today to try to suspend the action.

It follows the latest of several demonstrations outside the Home Office building in Brand Street on Saturday, when around 100 people gathered for a protest backed by charity Positive Action in Housing, the Church of Scotland and Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees.

Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing, described the evictions as “immoral, irresponsible and frankly dangerous”.

Serco said it welcomed the clarity that anticipated legal challenge would bring.

The Home Office contractor announced it will extend the notice period by 21 days for six people subject to lockchange notices, allowing them time to prepare representations or move out of their properties.

All further lock-change notices to other asylum seekers whose applications have been refused will be paused “whilst the law is being tested and clarified”.

Serco provides accommodation and welfare for around 5,000 asylum seekers in Scotland.