Asylum seekers lobby council for free bus travel

The asylum seekers told the council they could not afford to travel

Asylum seekers have urged a council to provide free bus passes so they can afford to go out.

Two refugees told an Oxfordshire County Council meeting their "eight pounds a week" government allowance was not enough to allow them to travel to activities including voluntary work.

One man said he was disabled and struggled to leave the hotel he had lived in for a year and two months.

The authority said it was considering the issue.

The asylum seeker, who lives on the outskirts of Oxford, said: “When I go outside I spend a lot of money on transport – two pounds to go and two pounds to come back.

“Because I am disabled I can’t walk too much.

“I want them to give us free buses because we are here to make Oxford better. We can work, we can volunteer.”

The other asylum seeker added: “I have been here for one year and five months.

“We get eight pounds per week. That’s not enough for us to go and get involved.”

Councillor Andrew Gant (right) said he was trying to resolve the issue

Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Gant, in charge of transport, replied he was trying to resolve the issue.

He added: “Our government has a rule that says that people in your situation are not by law allowed to have any recourse to public funds.

“Who does it hurt to give you a bus pass?

“Whose interest is it in to say you cannot leave your hotel?"

Dr Pete Sudbury, a Green Party councillor, told the meeting: “It is performative cruelty.

“That beautiful ‘don’t let them come legally and then punish them for coming any other route’ is a true stain on this country’s reputation and I am sorry.”

Conservative group leader Eddie Reeves told the BBC: “I agree that it would be better for asylum seekers to feel that they could get around locally and contribute positively to society while their claims are being processed."

The Labour and Reform parties have been approached for comment.

Asylum seekers receive £8.86 a week if their accommodation provides their meals.

Oxfordshire County Council said the issue of free bus passes was "complex", while the Department for Transport declined to comment.

A free travel scheme in Wales ended in March, while Scotland provides free travel to asylum seekers who have a qualifying disability or are aged under 22 or over 59.