Scotland has a long history of welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum and recognises it is a human right to be able to seek asylum in another country.
Actions
We work with partners, including the Home Office, COSLA, local authorities and a range of non-governmental organisations, to ensure smooth arrival and integration.
We support refugees and people seeking asylum by:
- implementing the New Scots strategy to ensure they are supported to integrate from day one
- improving support for people with no recourse to public funds through the Ending Destitution Together strategy
- providing funding to a range of support organisations
- taking a fair and proportionate share of the total number of refugees through the UK Refugee Resettlement schemes
- offering help and protection to unaccompanied children while their status is determined
- welcoming displaced people from Ukraine
- providing education linked to someone's ordinary residence - when a person moves into an area, the education authority become responsible for that pupil's education
Find out about your rights and entitlements in Scotland at Asylum and refugees on mygov.scot.
Background
Asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Government and handled by the Home Office. We are responsible for devolved matters, including access to essential services like healthcare and education, that enable the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in Scottish communities.
A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, violence or persecution. They have had their status as a refugee recognised under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
A refugee is entitled to the same social and economic rights as any UK citizen. Refugees have full access to medical treatment, education, benefits, housing and employment.
A person seeking asylum is someone who has asked a government to recognise their refugee status and is waiting to hear the outcome of their application. A single asylum system operates across the UK with all asylum decisions made by the Home Office.
Some people seeking asylum are moved to Scotland as part of the UK Government’s dispersal policy established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and are accommodated by the Home Office.
People seeking asylum do not have the same rights and entitlements as refugees because of restrictions applied under UK immigration legislation, rules and policy. People seeking asylum can access services in Scotland such as healthcare and education whilst they await their decision from the Home Office.
Bills and legislation
The UK is a signatory to the 1951 UN convention relating to the status of refugees and is obliged to consider properly any application for asylum made in the UK by a person who claims to be fleeing persecution.
Contact
Email: scotlandsrefugeestrategy@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 4000
Post:
Scottish Government
Directorate for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights
Asylum and Refugee Integration Team
Area 3H North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ