Press releases

An MP will today (Wednesday) call upon UK Ministers to allow asylum seekers the right to work.  Since 2002, a person waiting for their asylum claim to be decided has been prohibited from working.  As asylum seekers cannot lawfully work, they often have to rely on Government or charitable support to live.

Leading a Westminster parliamentary debate, SNP MP Alison Thewliss, will call for the changes to UK immigration rules.  This follows the publication of a working paper by Warwick University last month, which shows that allowing asylum seekers to work could save tens of millions of pounds for the UK Government.

Thewliss will also use the debate to speak about asylum cases she has dealt with in her capacity as the MP for Glasgow Central.  Her calls for changes in immigration policy today are supported by a coalition of charities and campaigning groups.

Speaking in advance of today’s Westminster debate, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“For far too long, under successive Governments, asylum seekers have too often been viewed with scepticism and treated with contempt.  Today’s debate is a real opportunity to refocus and remember the origins of the word asylum – that is the protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee.

“The increasingly poor treatment of asylum seekers and the removal of the most basic rights is nothing short of degrading and simply adds further misery to those who have fled persecution, war, famine and sexual violence.

“I know from speaking to some of the asylum seeking constituents I represent that life is made ever more difficult due to the draconian restrictions placed upon them by the UK Government.  These restrictions range from the threat of detention, regular and unsettling signing sessions at the Home Office, right through to the ban on working.

“We know that permitting asylum seekers to work would allow them to integrate better into society, develop their English and make friends in what can often be a lonely and new environment.  Many are professionals with skills they would love to put to use.  This powerful working paper from Warwick University also sets out the significant savings that the Government could make if it made a fairly modest change to the immigration rules.

“Another issue I plan to raise in today’s debate relates to the punitive rules the Government has around volunteering and unpaid work.

“Currently, the Government views certain cases of volunteering as being a sign of ‘bad character’.  This fallacy in policy is exemplified by a Christian Pastor in my constituency who was given leave to remain in the UK, and was seeking full British citizenship.  However, he was denied that because he did voluntary work for the British Red Cross.  This is absolutely ludicrous and I’ll be looking for answers on this from Ministers today.”

Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewliss, has hit out at data obtained from parliamentary questions which shows that over 60,000 individuals are being held up from having their tier one immigration appeals reviewed.

Earlier in the month, Ms Thewliss, cited three constituency cases in a Commons exchange with Ministers, pointing out that the backlog in tribunals taking place is leading “to dire straits” for some of her constituents.

Recent cases from the MP’s postbag, surgeries and inbox include a constituent who has been waiting for a hearing date since March 2016.  He is now facing eviction from his home, along with his wife and children, as he is unable to work until his case is heard.

Other constituency cases include a gentleman who has been waiting since November 2015 for an appeal regarding an entry visa for his wife.  Another constituent has also been waiting since February 2015 for an appeal which had originally been promised by last May.

Commenting on the data – which the Government released to her after Parliament broke for recess – SNP MP Alison Thewliss said:

“Since my election almost twenty months ago, my team and I have dealt with over 5,000 constituency cases.  Due to the diverse nature of Glasgow Central, a lot of my casework involves asylum and immigration policy.

“Over the last year and a half, it has become ever more clear to me that UK immigration policy is not fit for purpose.  These shocking figures demonstrate that this Government’s ‘pull up the drawbridge’ approach to immigration is leaving increasing numbers of my constituents in dire straits.

“A family in my constituency face the very genuine prospect of being made homeless because of these unacceptable delays to tier one tribunals.  Others are being separated from loved ones for extended periods.  With an average of 5,000 appeals being lodged every month, it is quite clear that access to justice is being blocked by UK Government inaction.

“A cynic would perhaps suggest that it is convenient for the Government to leave people waiting for months and years in the hope that they simply give up.  That is no way to run a justice system and I’ll be seeking proper answers and action from the Ministry of Justice when Parliament returns next month.”

Two Glasgow MPs have joined forces to fight for victims of asbestosis and pleural plaques who, they say, are being ‘stonewalled’ by HMRC bureaucracy.

Anne McLaughlin, MP for Glasgow North East, and Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, have used recent constituency cases to highlight an enormous backlog at HMRC, which is preventing victims of asbestosis and pleural plaques from progressing compensation claims.

Figures uncovered by the SNP duo suggest that almost 36,000 requests to HMRC for employment history schedules – which are essential to progressing the claims – are sitting, backed up in Government offices. Solicitors representing those with pleural plaques and asbestosis have said that some requests for employment history schedules to be released are taking up to 14 months.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“When my constituent first contacted me about this, he had already been waiting a year for HMRC to release his employment history. Quite simply, his compensation claim couldn’t progress without this. Unfortunately, it took a letter from me to the Chancellor to get this information finally released, which really shouldn’t be necessary.

“Figures uncovered using parliamentary questions would suggest that tens of thousands of other people are still waiting for HMRC to get a move on and issue these vital documents. This simply isn’t good enough and the Government must act without delay.”

The two MPs have launched an online survey, calling upon those whose claims are still pending to come forward and share their experience. They are also writing to charities and working men’s clubs all across the UK to raise awareness of the campaign.

In addition, they have sought a meeting with Treasury Ministers who are responsible for overseeing the department working to progress requests for employment schedules.

Anne McLaughlin MP, who raised a similar case with the Justice Secretary in the Commons last week, also commented:

“It is increasingly clear that, for whatever reason, people are being stonewalled by HMRC inefficiency, which means that compensation claims- some of which are time barred – cannot be progressed without an employment history schedule.

“We have written to Treasury Ministers, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss this backlog.

“It beggars belief that the Government could set-up the white elephant that was Concentrix to go and proactively hassle folk over tax credits – often needlessly – yet we find out there are tens of thousands of people being held back from getting compensation because another Government department can’t get a move on.

“I would urge as many people as forward to come forward, take part in our survey and join us in demanding that HMRC gets a move on and allows these people to get on with their lives.”

Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewliss, today pressed the Government on lengthy delays with the tier one immigration tribunals.

Referring to a number of outstanding constituency cases she has been dealing with, Ms Thewliss asked the Leader of the House of Commons to personally intervene in speeding up tier one tribunals.

Recent cases include a constituent who has been waiting for a hearing date since March 2016. He is now facing eviction from his home, along with his wife and children, as he is unable to work until his case is heard. Other cases include a gentleman who has been waiting since November 2015 for an appeal regarding an entry visa for wife. Another constituent has been waiting since February 2015 for an appeal which had originally been promised by last May.

Ms Thewliss has welcomed the Leader of the House’s commitment to personally look into these cases. She commented:

“These delays to tier one tribunals are totally and utterly unacceptable and the Government must take urgent action to speed up this process.

“A snapshot of my own constituency caseload suggests that these delays are leaving people in incredibly precarious circumstances, leading to problems which, in all honesty, could easily be avoided.

“A family in my constituency is now faced with eviction because of UK Government inaction. It is incumbent upon the Leader of the House to give his colleagues in the Government a nudge and get urgent action to tackle this backlog”.

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, joined other politicians at a parliamentary reception to celebrate the work of Cats Protection and help the charity come up with names for unwanted cats that come into its care.

The event, held at the House of Commons on Wednesday, was hosted on the charity’s behalf by Sheryll Murray MP to highlight its work in campaigning on issues affecting cat welfare in the UK.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity, helping around 200,000 cats every year through a network of over 250 voluntary-run branches and 32 centres.

Commenting on the event, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I was delighted to help Cats Protection League come up with names for unwanted cats and learn about the growing kitten breeding industry in the UK.

“I and my SNP colleagues take animal welfare seriously and the SNP-led Scottish Government has implemented Animal Dealers regulations in Scotland, which places sensible restrictions on the sale of cats and dogs and protects the welfare of kittens and other pets. I hope the UK Government will adopt similarly proportionate and sensible measures to protect animal welfare across the UK.

The charity’s Advocacy Manager Jacqui Cuff said:

“Cats are one of the nation’s favourite pets so it was wonderful to welcome so many politicians to discuss how we can improve feline welfare in the UK.

“Sadly, despite their popularity, we see huge numbers of cats and kittens coming into our care every year. Cats Protection works tirelessly to tackle the root of the problem, by promoting neutering and offering advice and information on responsible cat ownership.

“This year we have also launched our True Cost of Kittens campaign to highlight a growing kitten breeding industry which frequently puts profit before welfare. As part of this campaign, we’ve been calling for a change in the law to better protect kittens and cats from poor breeding practices that frequently lead to serious health issues.

“Throughout the year, we have been asking MPs for their help in pushing forward these changes which will greatly improve the welfare of cats in the UK. So this Christmas, we thought we’d ask them to get involved in one of the more creative and fun areas of our work – coming up with names for the cats in our care.

“There’s been some lovely suggestions and we’ll be choosing our seven favourites – one for every day of the week – which will be used for cats that come into our care during the New Year.”

Bridgeton’s MP has condemned Tory plans to shut Bridgeton Jobcentre, as well as seven other offices in the city – leading to a 50% cut in the city’s Jobcentre network.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“The DWP’s proposals to half the number of Jobcentres in Glasgow is astonishing and I am very concerned about the impact these cuts will have on a city that already has many challenges around unemployment and ill health.

“The planned closures will cause serious problems for people who need to travel to other Jobcentres for appointments which will further squeeze already meagre budgets. Some people in my constituency will now need to take two buses to get to their nearest Jobcentre – adding to the risk that they might be late for an appointment and end up being sanctioned.

“As well as the severe impact these closures will have on members of the public who need to attend a Jobcentre, these closures will mean huge amounts of extra work for staff at other centres and we don’t know what the DWP’s plan is for coping with this.

“Along with my SNP colleagues at Westminster, I will be pressing the DWP for more information on these closures and we will work hard to fight these closures tooth and nail.”

Alison Thewliss MP today prioritised children’s future health by showing their support for the UK Government’s ambitious soft drinks industry levy.

The event organised by the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of over 35 health charities, medical royal colleges and campaign groups, offered a chance for MPs to show their support and learn more about the benefits of the soft drinks industry levy, as well as talking to clinical experts who busted popular myths about the levy.

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, also known as the sugar tax, is one of a few vital measures with strong potential to help make our children healthier. We know that our children are eating too much sugar, with their main source being sugar sweetened soft drinks which is contributing to more than one third of our kids being overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. Added to this children from deprived areas of the UK are twice as likely to be overweight or obese as their counterparts from less deprived areas, whilst more likely to consume sugar sweetened soft drinks.

Obese children are five times more likely to become obese adults, increasing their risk of developing serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer, liver and cardiovascular disease and associated mental health problems. Obesity also currently costs the NHS at least £6billion a year.

Alison Thewliss MP said: “We have a childhood obesity crisis in this country. It’s unbelievable how much sugar is in many of the drinks our children regularly consume. These drinks easily become part of their regular diet and usually have no nutritional value so just end up being empty calories.

“This is why the Soft Drinks Industry Levy is so important. Decreasing the amount of sugar in these beverages will contribute towards making our children healthier now, and in the future.”

Professor John Wass from the Obesity Health Alliance said: “Our children are consuming too much sugar and soft drinks are their number one source of sugar. “The case for the soft drinks industry levy, coupled with the reformulation of soft drinks to reduce their sugar content, has never been clearer. The nation’s diet needs to be unsweetened – and fast.”