Myths vs Facts: What You Need to Know About Asylum in the North East
No Recourse North East
Tackling and Preventing Destitution
Welcome to our partnership website for the sharing of experience and knowledge of supporting people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
Tackling and Preventing Destitution for people with No Recourse to Public Funds
Many people from outside of the UK have ‘no recourse to public funds’ stipulated in their visas, preventing them from accessing most housing, homeless and welfare benefit assistance. The majority of people will have no problems as they work and stay in Scotland, but a significant number may run into unexpected and sudden problems for a wide variety of reasons. Often people affected find themselves in very difficult circumstances, usually with a significant impact on young and vulnerable people. Food poverty, housing and fuel debts etc. can quickly lead to destitution.
Accessing public funds can affect all non-UK nationals including those EEA nationals who have lost their right to reside. Rules and laws around these issues are very complicated and there are many exceptions. The No Recourse North East Partnership promotes ways of working that prevent people falling into destitution, as well as joint working that supports those that are in crisis and significant need. Our vision is for a region that is compassionate and welcoming to everyone, with systems and structures in place that prevent destitution and provide a safety net for all.
Please visit our Resources pages for useful information and Training materials which can be used to raise awareness around the issue of NRPF.
NEW: “Living With No Recourse: Voices From the North East” is a short community film created by the NRNE Lived Experience Group, with production support from SHMU. The film brings into view people whose lives are directly shaped by No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) a policy often hidden in legal language, yet felt daily across our region.
For many decision-makers, this group remains largely unseen, even though their wellbeing is directly affected by local systems, priorities, and policies. When people are not visible in our communities, their needs are easily overlooked and the consequences can be severe.
NRNE Partnership Lead Organisations
The NRPF Project No Recourse to Public Funds: Tackling and Preventing Destitution is funded by the Fairer Aberdeen Fund and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation whom we thank for their support.
Get involved with us
Our main working group meets quarterly by Teams. Should any organisations or individuals working with groups affected by no recourse issues wish to join us, please get in contact to be added to the mailing list and receive details of our next meeting.
There are also three sub-groups for organisations working with people with a status of NRPF – one for International students, one for people affected by gender based abuse and one for people seeking asylum.