Thousands of people in Scotland are being forced into extreme poverty and homelessness by the UK's hostile immigration policy, according to a new report.

The study by Heriot-Watt University and funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation looked at those with No Recourse to Public Funds - those subject to immigration control - or other restricted eligibility for state support.

They include asylum seekers, people who have arrived on spousal or student vias, and people from the European Economic Area who cannot access housing and welfare benefits after Brexit, even if they have lived and worked in the UK for many years.

Of those surveyed, 97% were destitute, with an average weekly income of £40. A third reported no income at all in the last month, with two-thirds reporting going without meals, clothes and toiletries in the last month.

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Homelessness rates were at 93%, with 53% sleeping rough in the last year and 55% in temporary accommodation.

More than two-thirds were not permitted to work, while the 15% who were permitted and seeking to work struggled due to health issues, homelessness and language barriers.

One of the people surveyed was Sofija, a European national who has lived in Scotland for nine years, who said she had experienced street homelessness and was "constantly scrambling for somewhere to stay".

Another, Jamal, has been in the UK for 17 years seeking asylum and said: "You are not able to work. You cannot work. You cannot support your family. You cannot support your kids… it turned [my] relationship upside down.”

Included in the report are a series of urgent recommendations to stop the crisis from worsening.

Refugees from Syria arrive at the train station in Dortmund, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 6Refugees from Syria arrive at the train station in Dortmund, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 6 (Image: AP/Martin Meisser)

The UK Government is being urged to simplify routes to settlement, process  all claims fairly and quickly and require, empower and adequately resource local, regional and devolved Governments to provide an immediate basic safety net for all.

While immigration is reserved, the Scottish Government is being called on to "exercise all devolved levers at its disposal, and commit resources to effectively implement its vision to end homelessness and destitution in Scotland".

Professor Beth Watts-Cobbe, from the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University, said: "The levels of need, deprivation, disadvantage, and trauma experienced by those with No Recourse to Public Funds or Restricted Eligibility amounts to a humanitarian crisis among a group often hidden from public view. Many of those affected have been in the UK for years, if not decades, contributing to our communities but left without access to basic support. 

“This report shows this to be a highly diverse group of people, including those who came to Scotland to seek sanctuary, European nationals who still face challenges as the UK transitions out of Europe and those who arrived to study or with their partner. 

“Two thirds of those we spoke to are not allowed to work, blocking their ability to support themselves out of these dire circumstances and stifling their ability to contribute to the society they desperately want to make their home. These counterproductive hostile environment policies affect thousands of people across Scotland, crushing their potential and creating destitution by design. The level of need is shocking but the issue is entirely preventable with concerted action. 

“It is time to stop passing the buck. Radical and urgent reforms are needed that prioritise people’s ability to access the essentials and live a dignified life. The new UK Government must commit to ending the unnecessary hardship that is being caused by current immigration policy and urgently change course. 

“We also seek commitment from Westminster to support the Scottish Government and other devolved nations in their efforts to ensure that everyone has access to basic essentials whatever an individual’s immigration status.”

Deborah Hay, Senior Policy Advisor (Scotland) at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said:  "Scaling up Fair Way Scotland is now critical given the growing demand for help, but mitigation programmes like this shouldn’t be necessary. 

“The integrated offer of casework support, legal advice, accommodation, and cash support provided by Fair Way Scotland partners is transformative, even lifesaving, for those who are able to benefit from it. However, demand far outstrips availability.

“Scaling up this response to meet the level of need requires increased buy-in and investment from a range of social partners. The Scottish Government, independent funders, local authorities and housing associations must work together to reduce the harm caused by current immigration policy, by using every tool at their disposal.  Public services and charities, stepping in to address appalling state neglect, are also bearing the preventable and costly brunt of those policies, and must be fully supported."

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “The Scottish Government will continue to raise the impact that the No Recourse to Public Funds policy has with the UK Government.

“Nobody should be pushed into destitution. People who are subject to this policy are members of our communities and we should be able to support them at times of crisis.

“The Scottish Government will continue to do all it can, within devolved powers, to protect communities and support people.

“We are working to influence the UK Government on changes to the immigration system that meet Scotland’s distinct economic and demographic needs, reflecting our values as an open, welcoming nation.”