Migration Policy Scotland, worked along with GREC, CRRR, and TBL to conduct a study about the financial challenges among the migrant population around Scotland. The “Open the Door” a report which was published on 09th October 2024, begins by noting that migrants make up a significant and growing part of Scotland’s population. Between 2004 and 2022, the non-UK born population in Scotland increased from 3.8% to 10.2%, with 554,883 non-UK born people living in the country by 2022. Migrants also account for 77% of Scotland’s minority ethnic working-age population. The report highlights the financial struggles migrants face, including difficulties in accessing well-paid jobs, social security, and affordable credit. On top of the cost-of-living crisis, migrants also bear high visa fees, immigration-related costs, and face barriers like the non-recognition of overseas qualifications and racial discrimination. These factors contribute to poverty rates among migrants being more than double the national average, with rising child poverty worsening the situation. Migrant households are particularly vulnerable to underemployment and precarious work. Additionally, the “No Recourse to Public Funds” (NRPF) condition limits many migrants’ access to social welfare, leaving them without a safety net in times of need. The report calls for improving access to tailored services, recognising overseas qualifications, and addressing financial exclusion. It emphasises the need for stronger collaboration between migrant-focused and mainstream organisations to reduce financial hardship within migrant communities. Read the full report here: 
