THE firm behind the eviction of up to 300 failed asylum seekers in Glasgow will consider suspending the action, an MP has claimed.
Serco chief executive Rupert Soames is said to have agreed to a possible postponement pending an equality impact assessment and a full consultation on the matter.
His agreement came as Home Secretary Sajid Javid faced mounting pressure to intervene.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney spoke to the businessman last night when he was told that the six eviction notices to be served this week involve single males.
When the politician suggested waiting until an equality impact assessment and consultation could be carried out, Mr Soames said he would “consider it”.
Mr Sweeney said: “Mr Soames told me that the vast majority of these cases involve single males, but I pointed out that there may be unknown issues involving these men – for example, they may well have underlying mental health problems.
“I suggested that an equality impact assessment should be carried out and that a full consultation should take place and he said he welcomed the suggestion.”
Mr Sweeney is hopeful that the possible suspension could prevent the six men from being evicted this week.
The MP is one of a group of cross-party politicians who have written to the Home Secretary amid widespread anger at the evictions.
They have warned that if the evictions of those who have been refused refugee status go ahead it will spark a “humanitarian crisis” in Glasgow.
SNP, Greens and Labour politicians have all co-signed the letter from Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aiken calling on Sajid Javid to intervene in the plans by public services group Serco.
READ MORE: Glasgow 'blindsided' as refugees face mass evictions
The letter states: "We share the view that this action by your accommodation provider will trigger a humanitarian crisis in Glasgow, leaving an estimated 300 already vulnerable men, women and children destitute.
"Despite the local authority's status as a Home Office partner in the asylum dispersal programme, there was no meaningful engagement with Serco prior to its announcement that it would commence changing the locks of the accommodation of those who have not been granted refugee status."
It warns the plans are "wholly unacceptable, not least due to the imminent risk of significant harm to a vulnerable group" and said those evicted are more likely to end up sleeping rough than to leave the UK.
It continues: "We hereby call on you, as Home Secretary, to instruct Serco to cease the lock change and eviction programme with immediate effect."
READ MORE: Glasgow 'blindsided' as refugees face mass evictions
No Conservatives put their name to the letter to the Home Secretary and Labour MP Paul Sweeney, who did sign, called on Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson to act.
He said: "Surely even Ruth Davidson must be prepared to admit that this is yet another manifestation of their party's unacceptable and inhumane attitude to those seeking our country's protection and shelter?"
Local Government and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell has also written to the UK Government and Serco calling for the "callous" policy to end.
Historically, lock changes have not been used for those who remain in asylum accommodation despite the Home Office ruling they will not be granted refugee status and withdrawing their funding and support.
READ MORE: Glasgow 'blindsided' as refugees face mass evictions
The plans were revealed at the weekend in a Serco email to agencies involved in supporting refugees which said it "will be commencing with the issuing of lock change notices" for those affected starting on Monday.
Serco said it is "sympathetic" to those affected but believes it has been more than supportive having provided free housing to rejected asylum seekers without recompense from the Home Office.
Serco has also faced criticism from the housing sector and a protest is planned in Glasgow city centre on Tuesday.
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations said Serco is "in danger of putting profit before people" while Positive Action in Housing said some of those affected have stopped leaving their flats to buy food.
Jenni Halliday, Serco contract director, said: "Serco has been providing housing free of charge to over 300 former asylum seekers who no longer have the right to stay in the UK.
READ MORE: Glasgow 'blindsided' as refugees face mass evictions
"We have been paying for the rent, the rates, the heating and lighting, and insurance on their properties, in many cases for many months all at our own expense.
"Each of these former asylum seekers have been refused the right to stay in the UK by the Government and the Home Office does not fund Serco to provide them with accommodation.
"Whilst we are sympathetic to their plight, we believe we have been more than supportive of these individuals by providing them with an additional period of housing in which to make alternative arrangements but we cannot continue to provide free housing indefinitely.
"We have therefore started legal proceedings to repossess our properties."
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