An MPS Policy Brief

Migration Policy Scotland’s project Tackling Financial Disadvantage in Migrant Households adds to clear and growing evidence that inequalities linked to experiences of migration and deriving from the immigration system impact significantly on poverty in migrant households across Scotland. We have found that migrants from a broad range of nationalities and across a full spectrum of immigration statuses are struggling. This includes people with work, study and family visas, people with EU settled and pre-settled status, as well as people who have been granted leave to remain.

Tackling poverty and inequality and promoting social justice are key priorities of the Scottish Government and local authorities with ambitious targets in place. The UK government has also committed to developing a strategy to tackle child poverty, stating its wish to learn from devolved nations and local areas as part of this process. Tackling poverty in migrant households must be part of these efforts if they are to succeed.

Pathfinder Initiatives:

The findings and recommendations in this policy brief draw on two-years of research and engagement at Migration Policy Scotland, including a 9-month policy laboratory. The briefing summarises the pathfinder initiatives co-developed with support and advice organisations to produce resource to better support migrants experiencing hardship.

• Local Service Maps for Migrants
• Resources for Accessible Intercultural Communication
• Guidance for Financial Health Checks appropriate to migrants needs
• Training by migrant-led organisations on effective and accessible support for migrants

It also details our recommendations for government.

Recommendations:

Scottish Government should:

• Expand access to benefits for people subject to No Recourse to Public Funds restrictions.
• Reduce barriers to employability as a pathway out of poverty for migrant households.
• Support capacity building and networks within and across local authorities and advice and support organisations to improve the quality and accessibility of advice and support for migrants.
• Ensure that data and monitoring on levels of poverty (including child poverty) include analysis of poverty in migrant households.

Local Government should:

• Ensure guidance is up to date and that frontline staff and other relevant parties are aware of and using it consistently.
• Facilitate targeted actions to increase awareness of entitlements both amongst migrant populations and within mainstream public services to ensure that migrant families have access to high-quality advice and support.
• Encourage and facilitate training and capacity building amongst frontline staff to support migrants effectively and appropriately.
• Support improved partnership working across mainstream and migrant-focused, public and third sector organisations.