Chamber and committees

Could Mears make any improvements to ensure that vulnerable people are protected from traffickers?

Caroline O’Connor, do you have anything to say on the issue?

Caroline O’Connor, do you want to add anything before I hand back to the convener?

Good morning, Caroline O’Connor and John Taylor. Thank you for your opening statements.

This question is for John. Our committee papers state that Mears has an obligation to keep a daily attendance record of people in initial accommodation. What data do you collect and record, and how is that data used? Do you think that better information sharing between your organisation and the Home Office and local authorities would be helpful?

Can the Scottish Government make any change or improvement to help a little bit more? Also, has there been a change since you started providing that support, given that you have reached out with 400 third-party places? Do you think that change is happening? What improvements can be made?

Thank you.

I thank the witnesses for their opening statements.

In previous sessions, witnesses referred to the differences between the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees and that of other refugees and asylum seekers. They often painted a picture that Ukrainian refugees are treated more favourably. However, at the weekend, it was revealed that more than 7,500 Ukrainian refugees are still in temporary accommodation and that some have been moved around the country. Can you talk a little about that? Did the Scottish Government overestimate its ability to cope with the number of Ukrainian refugees? What impact has the drastic housing shortage had on the ability to provide more stable accommodation in a community-based setting?

Having third-party reporting centres is a great initiative. There are 400 places, and people want to add to that. I deal with domestic abuse and things like that, so I know that it is important that those affected can get support by walking into a coffee place, for instance.

Thank you for that information.

Good morning, panel. Thank you so much for your opening statements.

Last week, when I asked about trafficking and exploitation, I was told that, too often, victims do not want to deal with the police, so they are supported, in the first instance, by the third sector, perhaps through a joined-up approach with Police Scotland. What sort of partnership working do you undertake with the third sector in this area? Do you foresee any changes or improvements being made? I will start with Elaine Tomlinson, because she mentioned trust. As a woman from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background, I understand that, in other countries—I am thinking of my mother—there is less trust in the police, so when she mentioned that, it resonated with me. Is there a language barrier as well?