All MSPs urged to back Green motion on free bus travel for people seeking asylum
Today’s vote on a Green motion in support of introducing free bus travel for people seeking asylum is a basic question of integrity for our parliament, says the Scottish Greens transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP.
Mr Ruskell has urged MSPs from all parties to unite around the call during a Scottish Green debate taking place this afternoon.
The policy, which was dropped by the Scottish Government in August, was originally secured by the Scottish Greens in October 2023 as part of the Bute House Agreement that brought the party into government.
The commitment followed a long cross-party campaign by refugee-rights organisations and a successful pilot programme in Glasgow.
The debate, which will be led by party’s equalities spokesperson Maggie Chapman, and transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell, will be the first chance that MSPs have had to vote on the U-turn.
Mr Ruskell said: “Today’s vote is a basic question of integrity for our parliament. This is a promise that the Scottish Government made. Failing to live up to that would be a profound betrayal of some of the most marginalised people in our society.
“The Scotland that I want to build is a caring and inclusive country that extends a hand of friendship, which is exactly what this policy aims to do.
“A lot of us were deeply disappointed when this commitment was dropped. Refugee rights organisations, community groups and those currently in the asylum system had worked in good faith with the Scottish Government and waited patiently for it to deliver on its promises.
“Many of the people who would benefit from the scheme are isolated and banned from working. Free bus travel would be a small, simple and compassionate step that could make a big difference to their lives.
“There has been long standing cross-party support for this policy in the past, and I hope that there will be today. I urge every MSP to support our motion, and to send a message of support and solidarity with people who have often fled from war and persecution.
“Introducing free bus travel would help us to mitigate some of the devastating impacts of a hostile UK asylum system built on racist policies. It is a practical step we can take here and now that would make very difficult lives a bit easier.”