Free asylum seeker bus travel scheme back by 2026 - Hyslop

A comittment to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in Scotland will be revived by 2026, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said.

Her comments came as MSPs voted in favour of a motion brought by the Scottish Greens calling for the policy to return "as soon as possible".

The Scottish government axed the policy in August as part of a series of cuts to public spending.

At a debate at Holyrood, Hyslop said she recognised the "frustration, disappointment and anger" and said ministers would find money to fund the scheme in future.

The motion to reinstate the policy passed by 68 votes to 27, with 20 abstentions.

However, the vote is non-binding and ministers do not have to act on the decision.

The Scottish Greens said they welcomed Hyslop's words, but said a "plan of action" must now be put into place.

Maggie Chapman, the party's justice and equality spokeswoman, said: "Now, if ever, is the time for Scotland's rhetoric to become reality.

"It is not at times of plenty that our promises are tested, but days like these, when temptation to abandon them is strongest."

Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said asylum seekers were among the "most vulnerable" people in society, and were forced to live on around £8 a day, which would barely cover a bus ticket around Glasgow.

Campaigners previously said free bus travel would help prevent isolation among people in the asylum system and allow them to attend GPs, solicitors, language lessons and volunteering projects.

Hyslop said the scheme had the potential to be "transformative" for helping asylum seekers integrate into their communities.

But she said the Scottish government only had "limited tools" to do so due to funding from the UK government.

Claire Baker of Scottish Labour called this an attempt to "deflect" blame and said the Westminster government was already taking steps to help refugees.

People in the asylum system are unable to work under UK employment law.

The Scottish Conservatives said the Scottish Parliament had "lost the plot" by debating the issue at the same time some pensioners are losing winter fuel payments.

Their transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: "We all want to do right by asylum seekers and help people in need – but it’s on every politician in this building to spend public money on the biggest challenges facing our country.

“No wonder so many people feel that this parliament doesn’t stand up for them or represent their interests."

Around £2m had been set aside to pay for the bus travel scheme when it was first announced.

An amendment calling on UK ministers to provide adequate funding for asylum seekers also passed, as did a further amendment by Labour calling for public transport to be affordable also passed.

Some people seeking asylum will be eligible for existing free bus travel schemes, including those under 22 and over 60 years old, and people with disabilities.