Council calls for meaningful engagement from Home Office
The Highland Council continues to call for meaningful engagement from the Home Office over its plans to temporarily accommodate up to 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks, Inverness.
It follows an email on Monday from Alex Norris MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, to Council Leader, Raymond Bremner, which failed to answer questions raised by the Council or address community concerns.
Cllr Bremner initially wrote to the Home Secretary on 28 October. This was followed by a joint letter by Cllr Bremner, Convener Bill Lobban, and Leader of the Opposition Alasdair Christie on 14 November outlining concerns at the proposals and to request a public meeting with the Home Office. No response to this second letter has been received.
Cllr Bremner said: “We stand united with our partners to welcome people fleeing persecution and seeking safety, but we need meaningful engagement from the Home Office to be able to plan effectively, ensure the right support is in place, and address valid community concerns. Despite repeated attempts, the Home Office has failed to provide a detailed plan, reassurance on how the site will be managed to minimise impact on the local community, or commit to a public meeting, which is extremely disappointing. We also have no clarity on funding arrangements to allow partners to support. We will write again to the Home Secretary and Minister for Border Control and Asylum to insist on meaningful engagement.”
A multi-agency partnership involving the Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Government, COSLA, and the Home Office is now meeting weekly to plan for the arrival of asylum seekers and learn from best practice.
However, key questions remain unanswered by the Home Office, including a confirmed date for the arrival of asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks. In his letter, Alex Norris MP indicated there would be a phased and incremental approach to people arriving.
Cllr Bremner added: “We have a strong record of supporting and welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to the Highlands, and I would ask people to continue to show tolerance, compassion, and humanity.”