ALMOST three-quarters of people think people seeking asylum in Scotland should be allowed to work in the country, according to a new survey.

The Survation poll, commissioned by the Scottish Refugee Council, also found more than half of respondents believe the country should have its own immigration system, separate from the rest of the UK.

Sabir Zazai, the charity’s chief executive, welcomed the findings, which he said suggest Scots want things to be “done differently”.

READ MORE: Glasgow politicians hit out at Loyalist violence in George Square

The survey found 73 per cent of Scots think people seeking asylum should be allowed to work to support themselves and their families.

Refugees are banned from working before they receive a positive decision on their claim for protection and must instead live on asylum support of around £5 per person per day.

This is a figure 52 per cent of those surveyed said is too low.

Some 59 per cent of those polled also said it would be better for Scotland to run its own asylum and immigration system. Immigration is currently reserved to Westminster.

Just over half – 52 per cent – of those polled think people seeking asylum should receive financial support in line with current rates of Universal Credit and 74 per cent believe it is important to make refugees feel welcome in Scotland.

Mr Zazai said: “These findings show a desire in Scotland for things to be done differently.

“We have all been forced to reassess priorities recently and Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter mean we can no longer accept unfairness or inequality as inevitable.

Glasgow Times:

“We are in a time of seismic change and as this poll shows, people are ready for a more fair and humane approach to refugee protection.”

The overwhelming backing comes in the same week a protest group took to Glasgow's city centre to demonstrate against unfair treatment for asylum seekers, only for the Loyalist Defence League to disrupt them in ugly scenes. 

No Evictions Glasgow had taken to George Square for a peaceful protest on Wednesday but the city was blighted by clashes again. 

Members from the group have refused to allow the right-wing thugs to deter them from fighting for the rights of asylum seekers again. 

READ MORE: Glasgow riots: George Square protesters branded ‘thugs’ by Justice Secretary

They wrote: "We condemn attempts by far right groups to hi-jack our peaceful protest tonight, which is about the conditions facing people in the asylum system in Glasgow.

"Our demo has nothing to do with the cenotaph.

"We will not be scared off from highlighting the horrific conditions in Glasgow’s asylum accommodation." 

The poll comes ahead of the United Nations World Refugee Day, which is marked internationally every year on June 20.

Survation polled more than 1,000 Scottish residents online from June 9-15.