Katy Gordon

Katy attended the Glasgow Roadshow at the STUC in Woodlands today. Along with many others, she spent the evening being entertained by musicians from many countries and hearing about the commission’s work as the first independent review of the UK asylum system. After the speeches, she met Sir John Waite, Co-chair of the Commission, and advised him both of party policy on asylum and immigration and of her colleagues’ work with asylum seekers in Careers Scotland. She signed the poster supporting the Commission’s review, adding a thumbprint for good measure. Katy commented:

“Asylum is a heated topic of debate these days. It is often in the headlines, but frequently for the wrong reasons and there is a widespread belief that the system is ‘not fit for purpose’. I support the Commission’s work and our party believes that asylum policy should cease to be a political football by creating an independent agency to assess and process claims, faster and more fairly. It is also ridiculous that asylum seekers aren’t allowed to work. Given the length of time it is taking to resolve their cases, gaining employment is an obvious way to allow them to support themselves. Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, has a good record of welcoming asylum seekers and I am glad the Commission chose to come to Glasgow to hold it’s hearing about forced removals, given the city’s recent experiences of the heavy handed approach of the dawn raids.”