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Court hears that a secret policy prevented some asylum seekers from staying in the UK A group of asylum seekers have launched a legal challenge against the Home Office, claiming that a secret policy unlawfully prevented them from being granted leave to remain in the UK. The policy, which was revealed in a court hearing on Thursday, allegedly instructed caseworkers to refuse applications from asylum seekers who had previously been removed or deported from the UK, regardless of their individual circumstances. The policy was in place from March 2017 to August 2020, and affected hundreds of asylum seekers who had…

A group of Scottish hospitality workers have announced their support for a boycott campaign against Israel, accusing it of committing apartheid and human rights violations against the Palestinian people. The campaign, called Hospo4Palestine, is part of a global movement of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Hospo4Palestine: A Call for Justice and Accountability Hospo4Palestine is a collective of hospitality workers, chefs, bartenders, and restaurant owners who have pledged to boycott Israeli products and services, as well as companies that support Israel’s occupation and oppression of Palestine. The campaign was launched on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian…

A Palestinian mother living in Scotland has expressed her anguish and helplessness as her daughter remains trapped in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Daughter’s wedding turned into nightmare Rania Al-Najjar, 45, moved to Glasgow from Gaza in 2016 with her husband and three of her children. Her eldest daughter, Hadeel, 23, stayed behind to finish her studies and get married. Hadeel’s wedding was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but it turned into a nightmare as Israel launched air strikes on Gaza on May 10, 2023, in response to rocket attacks by Hamas. Rania said she was in constant…

Glasgow City Council has formally declared a housing emergency in the city, as the number of people experiencing homelessness and living in temporary accommodation has increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The council passed a motion on Thursday, calling for urgent action to address the housing crisis and to ensure that everyone has access to safe, secure and affordable housing. Homelessness figures in Glasgow According to the latest statistics from the Scottish Government, Glasgow had the highest number of homeless applications in Scotland in 2020-21, with 10,522 applications, an increase of 8% from the previous year. The city also had…

The case of Alyn Smith Alyn Smith is a Scottish National Party (SNP) MP who represents Stirling in the UK Parliament. He is also the SNP’s spokesperson for international affairs and Europe. He has been vocal about Scotland’s right to have a say in the UK’s foreign policy, especially after Brexit. Smith has been involved in various international initiatives that aim to promote Scotland’s interests and values abroad. For example, he has been a member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He has also visited several countries, such…