EXCLUSIVE: The Capital has seen a hike in the number of refugees applying from south of the border.
City of Edinburgh Council
Edinburgh has seen a surge in homeless applications from refugees based in other parts of the UK.
The city has witnessed a near 250% rise in applications for assistance from people outside Scotland.
The figures have fuelled calls for a rethink of the country’s liberal homelessness laws.
Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid said: “These figures are further evidence that the SNP Government’s virtue-signalling has worsened Scotland’s housing crisis.
“They have made Glasgow and Edinburgh a magnet for homeless refugees from other parts of the UK without any plan for housing or local services.”
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We recently revealed that Glasgow council had received thousands of homeless applications from refugees granted to leave to remain from south of the border.
Greater London was the area responsible for the highest number of applications to Glasgow – 418 – with Belfast second at 304.
New figures show a similar trend for the local authority in Edinburgh, which declared a housing emergency two years ago.
In 2022-23, 121 refugees from outside Scotland made a homeless presentation to Edinburgh but the number jumped to 439 last year.
These include refugees arriving in Edinburgh from other parts of the UK or directly from another country.
The number of refugees in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh also rose from 236 to 523 over the same period.
The Home Office policy of emptying asylum seeker hotels is believed to be a key factor behind the homeless application rise.
An Edinburgh council insider said the hike was caused by people “leaving Home Office asylum accommodation with positive decisions and moving to Edinburgh”.
Other critics believe Scotland’s progressive housing laws have made Glasgow and Edinburgh a magnet for refugees in other parts of the UK.
Refugees can apply for homeless assistance north of the border even if they are based in England.
Holyrood’s abolition of ‘priority need’ rules in 2012 now requires councils to house anyone who is homeless.
Reid said: “SNP Ministers could change the law to address this crisis, but they choose not to do so.
“The SNP’s £200m affordable housing cut in 2024 was also a disaster that has had far reaching consequences for vulnerable people in need of accommodation.
“The SNP can’t keep pointing the finger elsewhere. This situation is getting worse and the failure rests with them.”
Tory MSP Sue Webber said: “These figures expose how the SNP’s open door migration policy simply is not sustainable in cities like Edinburgh.
“Their reckless decision to ditch the local connection rule means the capital – just like Glasgow – is becoming a magnet for asylum seekers, which is putting more strain on our public services.
“Edinburgh is already facing a housing emergency due to years of savage SNP cuts and a failure to deliver the homes we need. These figures look likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.”
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