Mears Group and Glasgow City Council must act immediately

The below statement was first featured on the 15th of October 2022, in The Herald article ‘Scotland’s children’s commissioner wades into row over housing pregnant asylum seekers‘

Nick Hobbs, Head of Advice and Investigations said:

“Human rights are universal. They apply to all children without exception, and regardless of immigration status. All children have the right to an adequate standard of living which supports their mental and physical health and development; this includes housing and access to clothing, food and social security.  

“It is gravely concerning that there are reports of pregnant mothers and infants being housed in hotel rooms and without the financial support they need. Hotel accommodation is completely unsuitable for children and families and should only be used on a short-term basis in an emergency.  

“The Mears Group and Glasgow City Council must act immediately to move these families out of this precarious, vulnerable situation and into suitable accommodation. Failure to do so would violate the children’s human rights with severe impacts on health, education and development that can last throughout childhood and into adulthood.”