3. To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding support that can be provided for women living in Scotland who are fleeing domestic violence and have no recourse to public funds. (S6O-01918)

The Scottish Government is working to protect all women who flee abuse. We are clear that women with no recourse to public funds should be offered the same level of support as other women in Scotland and should not face disadvantage.

We continue to engage with the UK Government to ensure that all victims of domestic abuse are afforded the same protections and support. Our ending destitution together strategy urges the UK Government to immediately remove, and cease to apply, no recourse to public funds conditions in relation to people in vulnerable circumstances, including women who are experiencing domestic abuse.

I am very heartened to hear that the Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government for those powers and for powers over immigration. Can the Minister confirm that, when Scotland is independent, all women living in Scotland who flee domestic abuse will have access to public funds?

Yes. It is clear that we need our own immigration system to address Scotland’s distinct demographic, labour market and economic challenges. We have set out how the devolution of migration powers would work. Everyone in our communities, including people in the UK asylum and immigration systems, should have the right to access support in times of need.

We have written to the UK Government urging it to reverse the policy of restricting applications for indefinite leave to remain for survivors of domestic abuse or violence, and to widen eligibility to include migrant survivors who are excluded from the concession simply because they are not in the UK on a spousal visa. It is not acceptable that people, including those who are fleeing domestic abuse, face destitution or are forced to remain in unsafe conditions because of their immigration status.

It is, disproportionately, women who are left without recourse to public funds after having fled an abuser. We know that the complex and inhumane system is almost impossible to navigate without support from outside organisations and legal assistance. I recognise the work of the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre in that regard. What asks of the UK Government are being made to secure support and funding to help women in that situation?

I join Beatrice Wishart in praising the work of the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre. It does immense work that we are incredibly proud of.

During my time in the Parliament, which is now more than 15 years, Scottish ministers have repeatedly and consistently raised the issue of no recourse to public funds. The impact on people living in Scotland of not having recourse to public funds because of the UK Government—particularly the Home Office and its disgraceful actions against women—is absolutely disgraceful. Any member, particularly Conservatives, who comes to the chamber to ask me to do more for women in those situations should look at the system that creates those situations.

I echo Beatrice Wishart’s sentiments and reassure her that we take every opportunity to press the UK Government to change the disgraceful system that it currently operates.