SCOTLAND's faith leaders have issued an open letter to the UK Government calling for an end to destitution in the asylum process, saying it has "no place" in modern society.

The letter to Immigration Minister Mark Harper MP outlines concerns that asylum seekers who have had their claims refused but are too afraid to return to their home country are being forced to live a "hand-to-mouth existence", unable to work or receive benefits.

It urges the UK Government to end its deliberate policy of making asylum seekers destitute by stopping support when their claim is refused. The letter has been signed by the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, who has described refugee destitution as a "human rights scandal" and the moderator of the Church of Scotland, Right Reverend Albert Bogle.

The letter was also signed by the leader of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend David Chillingworth, the Senior Rabbi of Scotland, Moshe Rubin, and K Jagannathan, secretary of the Hindu Temple of Scotland. Other signatories include Robin Waterston, clerk to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Scotland, Peter Macdonald, leader of the Iona Community, and Steve Chinn, general secretary of the Humanist Society Scotland.

The letter says research has shown most failed asylum seekers come from countries with well documented human rights abuses, such as Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Iran and Somalia: "Some flee torture because they upset the ruling regime. Others face persecution and imprisonment because of their politics, religious beliefs or sexuality. Many of the women face sexual violence. Mothers flee with their children to protect them against genital mutilation. They all have one thing in common: a fear of what would happen if they return home."

The letter adds: "They live a desperate hand-to-mouth existence, relying on charity. Left in such a vulnerable position, many of them are exploited, including being forced into prostitution. Unsurprisingly, many also face severe mental health difficulties.

"We believe that destitution has no part in modern Scotland."

Earlier this year a week-long survey carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University identified one in four of those who seek help from refugee support agencies in Glasgow as destitute – a total of 140 people.

In one case, a client had been destitute for more than six years, while 11 had dependant children and five women were pregnant.

Campaigners want the UK Government to provide basic support to all asylum seekers until they are given the right to remain or leave the country.

They are also calling for asylum seekers who remain in the UK for more than six months without their cases being resolved to be given the right to work to support themselves, and for improvements to the system for making decisions on asylum claims.

Gary Christie, head of policy at the Scottish Refugee Council, which is leading a campaign to end refugee destitution, said: "It is unjust and inhumane to refuse people the basics they need to survive."

A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said every asylum application was carefully considered in line with UN guidance, with protection given in cases where there is a "well-founded" fear of persecution in the claimant's home country.

He added: "When a claim is refused we expect that individual to leave. Refugee Action can provide assistance packages to help them return home voluntarily, but if they refuse to leave we will enforce their removal.

"No-one need face destitution if they comply with the law and the decisions of the courts and go home when required to do so.

"If failed asylum seekers cannot return home through no fault of their own we will provide support to ensure they are not destitute, including housing and an allowance for living expenses."