SFHA Statement: SERCO - Profit Before People?

SERCO should reflect on plans to evict up to 300 people who have been told they cannot stay in Britain, says SFHA – Scotland’s membership body for housing associations and co-operatives.

Reacting to news that SERCO plans to issue ‘lock change notices’ to a number of vulnerable households across Glasgow, Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of SFHA said:

“SERCO has been criticised in the past for poor practice in how it treats vulnerable tenants, and appeared to improve its policy and practice on how it interacts with asylum seekers who have had asylum claims refused.

“We are concerned now that SERCO is in danger of putting profit before people, failing to work within the spirit of the law, and letting down vulnerable households in the support and inadequate time they need to make alternative housing arrangements”.

Thomas continues:

“SERCO leases many of the homes they provide to asylum seekers from housing associations, in Glasgow; speaking on behalf of members, we would be concerned if even lawful evictions were done in such a way that was inhumane and put vulnerable households on the streets, without support.”

“We urge SERCO to reflect on their plans and comply with the spirit as well as the letter of the law and work with relevant support organisations to make sure their work is done in a completely legal and humane way”.

Call to action

SFHA has created a letter template that its members can use to express their concerns to SERCO.

SFHA members are encouraged to download the template and let us know about any communications they have with SERCO by contacting Zhan McIntyre, SFHA Policy Lead at zmcintyre@sfha.co.uk.