Evacuated UK nationals from Afghanistan - residency criteria changes: equality impact assessment

4. Executive Summary

A review of the current residency criteria and eligibility for student support was carried out, of which this EQIA forms a part.

The EQIA identified that extending the current student support system would advance opportunities for all UK nationals and their family members who have fled Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion by allowing access to tuition fee and living cost support to study further and higher education courses.

The Scottish Government does not consider there to be any direct or indirect discrimination as a result of this policy change. The proposed additional exception to the residency criteria for UK nationals and their family members is not intended to treat individuals in this category more favourably because of their nationality. The change will ensure that they are treated on the same terms as those who have been granted a special immigration status as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The special immigration status is not available to UK nationals and their family members who have fled Ukraine under the same circumstances. The scope of eligibility under the special immigration schemes is extended to Ukrainian nationals and their family members who have fled Ukraine and arrived in the UK. This will therefore include other nationalities not specifically provided for within this change as long as they are family members of Ukrainian nationals.