LAWYERS have secured fifty interdicts blocking evictions of asylum seekers in Glasgow by private contractor Serco.

Legal representatives have argued that lock change evictions without a court order are unlawful.

Individual cases have been taken to Glasgow Sheriff Court and campaigners have said the total granted has now hit 50.

Despite the cases, a challenge at the Court of Session and a campaign against the evictions the Scottish Refugee Council said it is aware of three people made homeless through lock change evictions in the last two weeks.

Graham O’Neill, Policy Manager at Scottish Refugee Council said: “These fifty interdicts are a significant milestone in the campaign against Serco and the Home Office’s inhumane treatment of people seeking refugee protection in Scotland.

“It’s time for Serco to commit to the lawful court order procedure which exists to protect people, giving them time to challenge potential evictions and avoid crisis situations such as this, where people are being forced into destitution and onto the streets.”

Housing Charity Shelter Scotland is part of the legal campaign.

Fiona McPhail, Principal Solicitor at Shelter Scotland said:

“To achieve fifty interim interdicts so far is great news and just shows that there is a case to be heard. We would urge that Serco stop its programme of lock changes until the law has been clarified on whether these lock changes are lawful.”