Mears Group controversies

Glasgow asylum-accommodation controversy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mears moved around 350 asylum seekers from private apartments to six Glasgow hotels. Charities and residents criticized the moves, citing reduced independence, difficulties with social distancing, limited notice and the suspension of daily support payments by the Home Office. The deaths of residents and a subsequent stabbing incident at a Glasgow hotel intensified scrutiny of the accommodation system. A House of Commons committee later recommended that pandemic-era moves should occur only for justified and urgent reasons and after a safe vulnerability assessment.