Destitution in Scotland

Asylum seekers are at risk of destitution throughout the asylum process, particularly when their asylum claim is refused and their support is withdrawn. An unknown number of asylum seekers live in Scotland, sometimes for years, without income, failing to reach even the United Nations (UN) target on global poverty of $1.25 a day.

Destitution arises because of errors, delays and complexities in the asylum system. A high success rate with asylum appeals calls into question the quality of decisions on asylum claims. However, refused asylum seekers are denied financial support and banned from working. They are left with no legitimate means of support, often with no realistic prospect of return to their country of origin. 21monthlater

To find out more about destitution in Scotland take a look at some of our research publications:

Trapped: Destitution and the Asylum System in Scotland
Research by Morag Gillespie of the Scottish Poverty Information Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University, commissioned by RST, Scottish Refugee Council and British Red Cross, 2012. Full Report and Summary Report

21 Months 
An update report on ’21 Days Later’, reviewing progress and next steps based on 18 months of RST grants data, by the British Red Cross and RST 2011.  21 Months Later

21 Days Later
A detailed analysis of the causes and extent of destitution in Scotland, based on statistics from 3000 RST grants, by the British Red Cross and RST 2009. 21 Days Later

“What’s going on?”
A study into destitution and poverty faced by asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland commissioned on behalf of RST.  Full Report and Summary Report

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