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NAT welcomes Glasgow City Council passing motion against forced destitution of refused asylum seekers.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

NAT (National AIDS Trusts) welcome the decision of the Glasgow City Council to pass a motion against the forced destitution of refused asylum seekers and applauds the work of the Scottish Refugee Council on this issue. *

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), comments:  

‘Research into the experience of poverty amongst people living with HIV in the UK has shown that those who are in most severe need are refused asylum seekers who have no legal means to support themselves.  They are not allowed to work, nor are they able to access any form of state support.  They may turn to their local council for support and housing, but at present councils are severely restricted in the help they are allowed to give refused asylum seekers.  

‘The impact of homelessness and poverty upon the health of someone living with HIV is dramatic.  This policy of destitution is an affront to human rights.  It is also placing the NHS under pressure, as asylum seekers are hospitalised for serious but avoidable HIV-related illness. 

‘Glasgow City Council is right to push back against these rules and call on UKBA to provide support to all asylum seekers until they either are granted leave to remain, or leave the country.  Other councils should join Glasgow in calling for an end to forced destitution of asylum seekers.’

Notes to the editor:

* http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/news_and_events/latest_news/175...

For further information please contact: 

Charli Scouller 
Communications Manager
NAT 
020 7814 6733 
press@nat.org.uk 

NAT 


NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. We champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change. 
Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives. 

www.nat.org.uk 
www.lifewithHIV.org – a resource for HIV positive people 
www.HIVaware.org.uk – what everyone should know about HIV

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