Activists and charities have claimed that vulnerable asylum seekers could be evicted on a mass scale in the coming days as an appeal against the process was heard in court.

A legal bid by refugees against Home Office and their contractor Serco to stop lock-change evictions resumed in Edinburgh’s Court of Session on Wednesday.

The court is currently hearing an appeal by Govan Law Centre against its initial ruling that lock change evictions by Serco in Glasgow could go ahead without court orders.

Glasgow Times:

Outside, supporters gathered in solidarity with refugees facing eviction in the city, with speakers from a number of charities and support groups condemning the ongoing eviction process, which they believe to be unlawful.

Scottish Refugee Council’s CEO Sabir Zazai said: “We are now facing a significant humanitarian crisis in Glasgow. We expect Serco and the Home Office to begin evicting people on a mass scale in a matter of days, despite ongoing legal proceedings.

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“With hundreds of people who could be made street homeless in the coming days and weeks, the gravity of the situation is clear.

"We must work together to reduce the suffering that this crisis will create, and we call on Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to do everything in their power to step up to mitigate this impending crisis.

Glasgow Times:

“Everybody has a right to a home and the right to feel safe, welcome and part of a community. The people affected by the evictions came here seeking safety and protection, and yet are being forced onto the streets and left with nothing.

"Scotland has a proud history of welcoming refugees, and long may this continue, but in order to do that we must treat people with dignity and respect.”

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While a decision on the appeal is not expected imminently, other methods of halting the evictions continue.

To date, 95 interim interdicts preventing forced removal have been granted at Glasgow Sherifff Court; with 11 new cases heard on Wednesday and a further 27 later this week.

The Evening Times understands that Serco could carry out up to 30 evictions per week as they look to empty housing stock, while reports suggest the minimum notice period provided to refugees is now just 14 days.

Glasgow Times:

Following the appeal hearing, Serco claimed it has been "providing more accommodation and support for former asylum seekers, who have exhausted all appeals, than any other organisation in Scotland", as well as making £150,000 in funding.

The Evening Times approached the Home Office for comment.