Why we should pay for asylum seekers' travel?
There has, believe it or not, been political action away from the cauldron of the General Election and its aftermath.
Last week the Scottish Government announced that it is to develop a scheme to give asylum seekers free bus travel.
Read our report here 👈
The idea was condemned by one of our correspondents, who argued that this is not something the taxpayer should be funding.
Today, however, one of our readers argues that the scheme could be value for money and should go ahead.
Andy Stenton of Glasgow writes: "I would hope Ian Balloch (Letters, July 12) is in the absolute minority in Scotland.
"He condemns the Scottish Government for offering asylum seekers free bus travel. He obviously fails to understand why people facing persecution, violence or war in their own country seek safety elsewhere.
"He describes the pilot travel scheme as a 'freebie'.
Many asylum seekers are eventually granted UK visas, and they fill the job vacancies Scotland desperately needs.
"The Home Office's inefficient immigration process system, which can take years, is what costs the taxpayer the most money.
"During this time asylum seekers aren't allowed to work, although they would love to.
They are given £49.18 a week for 'food, toiletries, clothes and travel' while being housed, yes, at taxpayers' expense, but to the benefit of private landlords or hotel owners, in often pretty dire accommodation.
"It seems pretty obvious to me they can't afford bus fares from places like Easterhouse into the city. Let them travel free and engage us with their friendship and culture."
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