Many influential figures in the housing industry have gathered to oppose the proposed Immigration Bill for fear that they could do the nation more harm than good. According to Scottish Housing News, there have been several upsetting repercussions that have been pointed out by the Scottish Association of Landlords, Shelter Scotland, Homeless Action Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations in behalf of the many people who are not in doubt with the new bill.
One of our main concerns of the opposing group is that the bill will generate a deliberate support system for refugees who are refused asylum in the U.K.
According to the statement organized by the Scottish Refugee Council before the Scottish Parliament debate on the bill, the Immigration Bill would impose a "deeply inappropriate burden" on property-owners that could result to "unconscious racial discrimination in housing provision." According to Scottish Housing News, Scottish Parliament debate on the bill occurred at about the same time that it was deliberated in the House of Lords.
The online publication quotes Graham O'Neill, policy officer at Scottish Refugee Council, "There are so many serious problems with this bill, both in terms of the content of the bill itself, which is so damaging, and in the way that it impacts on areas, such as housing, that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament."
He added, "The bill's provisions will make further holes in an already ragged safety net and we are very worried that more families will fall through this net and into abject destitution and potential exploitation. The 'right to rent' provision that requires private landlords to check tenants' immigration status is both deeply inappropriate and an invitation to discrimination."
Thus O'Neill and his colleagues in Scotland's housing sector is calling on the Scottish Parliament to veto the bill, or at least the terms of the bill that applies to Scotland.
