COSLA and Scottish Government have jointly published the Ending Destitution Together (EDT) Phase Two Delivery Plan. This delivery plan reaffirms COSLA and Scottish Government's commitment to support people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) through a series of actions focused on both the prevention of migrant destitution and an effective response when it occurs.

Since the launch of the initial EDT strategy in 2021, local authorities have worked tirelessly to ensure people with NRPF have their fundamental rights met and are supported to find pathways out of destitution. This has been done in close collaboration with immigration advice services and third sector support.

Consistently high levels of demand and an increasingly complex immigration policy landscape have meant that this EDT delivery plan is needed now more than ever. Frontline staff in local authorities, and across wider public services, have made it clear that more support is needed through training and guidance to build staff confidence as they provide critical services to people with NRPF.

The delivery plan recognises this trend, and COSLA has committed to engage with local authority officers across an even wider range of services. The plan also outlines several key actions to be delivered over the next three years across a broad range of policy areas, including financial inclusion, housing and homelessness, child poverty, lived experience, immigration advice, guidance and training, data and research, violence against women and girls, access to health services, mental health support and employability.

Destitution can have far-reaching consequences, affecting all aspects of an individual’s life. It is associated with poorer health and wellbeing outcomes, barriers to employment and education, and an increased risk of exploitation and abuse. The EDT delivery plan recognises the interconnected nature of these challenges and commits to collaborative working across policy areas and related strategies. This approach will align priorities and ensure that the needs and experiences of people with NRPF are reflected in the design and delivery of related work.

As immigration policy is a reserved matter, work in this delivery plan will focus on what different levels of government can do within a devolved context. This includes continued Scottish Government funding for COSLA’s partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) providing specialist immigration advice to all Scottish local authorities. It also includes funding for the provision of casework and emergency cash support to the most destitute individuals through Fair Way Scotland. Evidence has shown the effectiveness of linking cash first approaches with holistic support and immigration advice to help provide sustainable routes out of destitution.

The work will be informed by people with lived experience of NRPF and the plan will focus on broadening engagement to reflect geographical spread and the diversity of immigration routes. Close collaboration with Govan Community Project’s ‘Experts by Experience’ group will shape delivery and ensure the priorities of people with NRPF are reflected in the actions taken forward.

Actions will be delivered over the next 3 years (2026-29) and COSLA will continue to work closely with Scottish Government and other partners to ensure a collaborative approach to delivery. For enquiries relating to COSLA’s work within the Ending Destitution Together Strategy, please contact stefan.s@cosla.gov.uk or cristina@cosla.gov.uk.