Last week, the Prime Minister expressed shock that people with no recourse to public funds cannot access financial support. It was not a shock to many, including the Kurdish development association in Glasgow which contacted me recently. The association told me of the impact of the rule on many Glasgow residents, including many who have temporary leave to remain and who have lived and worked in the United Kingdom for a number of years, and yet who have been forced into destitution due to their immigration status and the impact of Covid-19.

Now that the Prime Minister has been made aware of the situation, does the First Minister agree that he must ensure that the UK Government takes decisive action to support those who are affected by that dreadful immigration rule?

Yes, I agree very strongly. I find it inexplicable that any member of Parliament or member of the Scottish Parliament could be unaware of the issues that are created by not having recourse to public funds. In my constituency—the same will be true in Bob Doris’s constituency—those issues cross my desk and arrive in my constituency mailbag every single day. They are real issues for very many people.

For a number of years, and over the course of the pandemic, the Scottish Government has consistently raised the issue with the Home Office. Now that the Prime Minister has realised that there are people who face destitution and hardship because they cannot access much-needed support, I hope that that appalling policy will be reversed.

At this time of crisis, in particular, people who have come to the UK to work, study or be with their families, or because they need a place of safety, must be appropriately supported as restrictions are lifted, so that they can be safe and wider public health can be protected. That is absolutely essential if we are to ensure that our communities and economy can recover from this unprecedented situation. I very much hope that we will see a change of policy from the UK Government soon.