Natasha Asghar has called for urgent improvements to the Welsh Government’s Welcome Ticket in a bid to help refugees and asylum seekers across the country.
The South East Wales politician recently met with staff from the Welsh Refugee Council in Newport along with several asylum seekers.
A range of topics were discussed including education, employment, the Nation of Sanctuary plan, and several issues surrounding the Welcome Ticket.
The Welcome Ticket gives all refugees unlimited travel on trains and buses until March 31 next year.
However, some of the staff and asylum seekers Natasha spoke to recently said while the scheme is a good, improvements are needed to make it even better.
As it stands, refugees have to show either their Biometric Residence Permits, a letter from the Home Office or passport to be allowed onto a bus or train.
Some train and bus services do not recognise the Welcome Ticket with there being a misunderstanding from drivers about the various types of status on Residence Permits.
Asylum seekers are not entitled to the Welcome Ticket at the moment – something Natasha Asghar MS wants to see changed urgently.
Natasha Asghar MS called for the Welsh Government to outline how it intends to address the concerns surrounding the Welcome Ticket in the Senedd this week.
She asked for the Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, to make a statement in the Senedd as soon as possible.
Natasha was told “things can always be improved” and that the Welsh Government had taken on board the issues that she raised, but that it wasn’t “worthy” of a statement at the moment.
Commenting afterwards, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“My recent meeting with the Welsh Refugee Council was extremely informative and eye-opening. It was a great opportunity to hear first-hand the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.
“One of the main issues that jumped out at me was the problems surrounding the Welcome Ticket. It is unacceptable that refugees are forced to carry important documents with them just to be able to use a bus or a train.
“I want to see the Welsh Government issue those entitled to the Welcome Ticket – which should certainly include asylum seekers – with a special card which will be universally recognised by train and bus drivers instead.
“These are fairly simple changes which will go a long way in making life that little bit easier for refugees and asylum seekers across Wales and I will keep campaigning for them until the Welsh Government acts.”
