GLASGOW'S only all-year-round night shelter for failed asylum seekers has called on the government to offer them support.

Many refugees whose claim to stay in the UK have been rejected by the Home Office have no recourse to public funds.

This means they are not allowed to work or access the benefits system and can be denied support from charities funded by grants from councils or the government.

Night shelter chairwoman Margaret Sweeney was involved in setting up a shelter in 2011 which puts a roof over the heads of 15 people every night of the year.

She said: "We never close. We have 15 men every night. There are more destitute people than this but the others are sofa-surfing, often with other asylum seekers.

"The youngest we've had is 18 and the oldest in their 60s. Quite a number spend their days in libraries or at churches. Some volunteer in different organisations. Others just walk the streets."

Ms Sweeney slammed the Home Office policy to prevent failed asylum seekers

accessing public money which she claims is "intended to encourage them to give up and leave."

"It's not acceptable," she said: "The problem is, for some of these men, it's a huge effort to get the evidence they need. Right at the start of their case, when they arrive, there is a short interview. A short time later there is what's called a substantive interview lasting four or five hours.

"The demands of the Home Office are very, very stringent. They are also very, very inclined to disbelieve evidence that is given.

"Often the men have not had the chance to prepare for that or see a lawyer. They have no idea what evidence they are supposed to produce. They begin on the back foot.

"Some of them have been appallingly tortured. I've seen the scars. It's so distressing. A lot of the men here have nightmares. They have suffered very traumatic experiences.

"We get people with long-term post traumatic stress disorder so they wake up screaming. We get people who are so depressed because they think their case is hopeless, even though we know it's not. I have seen many of these people go on to win their cases."

She added: "I would like a stop to the deliberate destitution policy. I do think it's wrong to have people who are not allowed any sort of support."

Manager of the night shelter, Phill Jones, described the facility as "the only safety net."

He said: "We feed up to 20 people every night for a week for only £100. Our electricity bill is £65 a week. We have to be really good at encouraging donations. We have 25 volunteers a week involved and I do four nights. I'm part time - I'm only getting paid £12,000 a year. We run the entire project on £23,000 a year."

Mr Jones insisted the system which prevents failed asylum seekers from working or claiming benefits is "crazy".

He said: "People who are refused asylum, the Home Office cut off their accommodation, cut off their money, throw them on the street and lose contact with them."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who genuinely need our protection, and we are committed to deciding often complex cases as quickly as possible.

"While cases are under consideration, all applicants who would otherwise be destitute are provided with financial support and accommodation. Our staff are trained to assess the needs of those applying for asylum support.

"Failed asylum seekers who are found not to need our protection and have no other basis to remain in the UK should leave the country at the earliest opportunity. If they cannot return through no fault of their own, we will continue to support them to ensure they are not destitute."

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