New Scots Core Group minutes: June 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Chair University of Glasgow 
• Representative from Bridges Programmes
• Representative from British Red Cross
• Representative from COSLA (online)
• Representative from Glasgow Clyde College
• Representative from Mental Health Foundation
• Representative from Public Health Scotland
• Representative from Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees
• Representative from Scottish Government
• Representative from  Scottish Government
• Representative from Scottish Refugee Council
• Representative from SLAED People Group
• 3  New Scots Core Group Advisers
• 2 Representatives from UNHCR UK (observers)
• Representative from  Scottish Refugee Council (Secretariat)
• Representative from Scottish Government (Secretariat - Minutes)

Guests

• Representative from Scottish Government
• Representative from COSLA

Apologies

• Representative from Police Scotland
• Representative from  Scottish Refugee Council
• 3 New Scots Core Group Advisers

Items and actions

WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

• Chair welcomed members to the meeting. Everyone briefly introduced themselves. 

• Chair highlighted changes to group membership, noting that a previous advisor has moved on from her role as a Core Group Adviser and so will no longer be attending the Core Group. The chair welcomed an observer from UNHCR UK as an observer of the Core Group and an observer from the Scottish Government as a guest to the Core Group. She also congratulated a member in her new role in SRC.

• Chair noted apologies from Police Scotland, a member SRC and 3 Core Group Advisers. She noted that someone from Scottish Government had also hoped to attend as a guest, but was ultimately unable to do so.

MINUTES/ACTION POINTS FROM MEETING ON 27 FEBRUARY 2025

• The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting on 27 February 2025.
• Chair confirmed all actions to date have been closed off in advance of this meeting except Action Refs. 8 and 14.  These both related to SRC including a breakdown of numbers of RSS users by Local Authority (where possible) as part of the RSS update and to this being done as a visual. An SRC representative circulated a map of the data being recorded by the Refugee Support Service on access by Local Authority. She confirmed that both of these actions can now be closed. CG members agreed that a visual representation of this data was a helpful reporting method.
• Members raised a ‘Thinking flag’ (a point for Core Group members to keep in mind) in relation to employability services delivered by local authorities in more rural locations. Opportunities for face-to-face interaction when delivering these services rurally can be more infrequent, which can sometimes affect perceptions of effectiveness. It was noted that many users do not feel as connected over screen as they do in person and that this can also be exacerbated by a gap in familiarity with using remote technology.

UNHCR VISIT

• Chair invited a representative from SRC and Core Group Advisers to speak briefly about the High Commissioner’s visit to Scotland in March.

• SRC eflected that it was a positive event with three elements: a visit to see the work being done with New Scots in the community at The Welcoming Association; a meeting between the High Commissioner, New Scots Leadership Board and two of the Core Group Advisers; and a meeting between the High Commissioner and the First Minister. The High Commissioner and his delegation spoke very positively about their experience in Scotland and it was great to be able to share the positive work Scotland is doing to support New Scots. He noted that the High Commissioner expressed his intention to highlight Scotland’s example internationally.
• A core group member reflected that it was good to have three separate parts to the visit, as this meant that there was adequate time for each part. He said that he enjoyed being part of the second part and noted the importance of promoting the work of the New Scots strategy so that it is heard around the UK and for other nations to follow, as well as the value that the UNHCR endorsement brings.
• Several core group members noted that the visit had also been very positive from the perspectives of COSLA and Scottish Government, respectively.
• A core group observer reflected that the High Commissioner had reported that he was delighted with the visit and felt that he really saw the leading work Scotland was doing to support refugees in the UK. He noted that it is clear that this method of work, with government, local authorities, refugees, the NGO sector and academia at the table working with unified purpose and defined accountabilities, is a best practice with impact and would be usefully replicated internationally.
• The chair reflected on the fact that in the UK, while certain areas affecting New Scots such as asylum and immigration are reserved to UK government, the New Scots strategy focuses on devolved matters, which includes many of the services supporting New Scots and this is where the strategy is able to make real differences. She gave credit to all partners and representatives involved in making the High Commissioner’s visit a success.

THE FIRST MINISTER’S GATHERING

• The chair gave a brief update of the First Minister’s Gathering in Glasgow on 23 April 2025, explaining that the conversation centred around the disaffection of politics, the threat from the far right and discussion on what is needed to support the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in Scotland.

• The chair explained that a representative from SRC attended and laid out that Scotland needs political bravery and to embed the work we do with New Scots in communities. He also made a plea for all communities to offer a warm welcome to have fully restored lives in a new place.

INDICATORS WORKSHOP

• The chair  explained that the purpose of this workshop was to involve members at the beginning of the process of developing indicators to measure progress towards the short-term outcomes detailed in the Delivery Plan. This work will provide a starting point for the indicators working group who will then take discussions away to form indicators.
• Core Group members were organised into four groups to discuss, draft and provide potential indicators for the short-term outcomes listed for actions in the Delivery Plan. Each group was asked to consider the outcomes for four different actions. Groups were reminded to consider the insights from the last meeting, especially focusing on data already available or easily collectable, proportionate and involved people with lived experience.
• Following the group discussions, the chair thanked everyone for their contributions and the secreteriat provided a brief overview of the work which the indicators working group will now take forward, using the indicators drafted today as a tangible starting point.

ACTIONS:

• Action 1 - Secreteriats to collate the indicators drafted by Core Group and share these with the indicators working group in a workable format.
• Action 2 - Indicators working group initial meeting to take place 19 June 2025.

NSDP PROGRESS AND 2025 REPORT

• The chair invited Core Group Members to update on the work British Red Cross (BRC)  and Scottish Local Authorities Economical Development (SLAED) are doing in relation to the delivery plan.  
• A BRC representative provided an update on the work BRC are doing on Action 3.9 (Support New Scots to be reunited with their families including going through the UK family reunion visa application process). He noted the potential implications of the UK Government White Paper published in May could have on Family Reunion work. He also noted that so far BRC have hosted three learning seminars for local authorities and three Strategic Advisory Group meetings with Scottish Government which focus on making positive change both at policy and operational level. The focus of the first three Strategic Advisory Group for Family Reunion meetings have been on: what family reunion is and the wider context; financial benefits and social security; and housing. The next Strategic Advisory Group will focus on education.

• SLAED's representative provided an update on SLAED’s work related to Action 3.6 (Improve and enhance awareness of and access to employability support for New Scots). SLAED’s employability work focuses on two Scottish Government priorities: No One Left Behind and Tackling Child Poverty. He noted the work being done on job fairs, the need to address language barriers and the recuitment of New Scots as members of some local authority teams to address this. He also noted that current reporting arrangements mean that it is not always possible to identify when support is being provided to New Scots (as per the strategy definition) and that SLAED are considering what could be done to make this clearer.
• The chair reflected that the updates from core group members gave a great insight into the work being done on these actions. She also commented that it is extremely positive that the underpinning key principles of the New Scots delivery plan are being shown to be worked in tandem across different areas.  
• There was discussion by members on services recognising cultural differences of those accessing support, including overcoming barriers and ensuring that services are accessible to those who need them.

ACTIONS:

• Action 3 - BRC Representative to give a longer input on Family Reunion work at September Core Group.
• Action 4 - Core group members to connect on the next Strategic Advisory Group for Family Reunion. 
• Action 5 - Core group member and core group observer to link up on including UNHCR in discussions where they overlap on issues of travel routes.

• Action 6 – SLAED representative to follow up with Scottish Government to discuss establishing a SLAED New Scots sub-group.
• Action 7 - SLAED and Glasgow Clyde College representative to meet on possible ESOL approaches that could be helpful in the employment sector.

LEAD PARTNER UPDATE

• The chair invited lead partners to provide a short update on their actions with the group.

• A representative from Scottish Government provided a brief update on Bus travel (Action 1.2) recognising that the last time the Core Group had met, parliament had only just passed the budget, which included reference to bus travel support for people seeking asylum. She noted that the Programme for Government 2025-26 was published on 6 May and set out that a £2 million national pilot to support free bus travel for people seeking asylum will be delivered this financial year.
• A representative from Scottish Government provided an update on Scottish Government’s work with Skills Development Scotland, under delivery plan Action 4.2. A new Ethnic Intersectionality Incentive for New Scots will be made available to encourage employers to take on apprentices who are New Scots. All Core Group members were encouraged to share this information with their networks following the meeting.  
• The chair noted that SRC have shared papers on the Refugee Support Service and Refugee Integration Networks and invited a reprsentative from SRC to provide any additional updates on anything else.
• A representative from SRC updated the group on work being done on legal aid (Action 2.7), noting that an initial conversation with Scottish Legal Aid Board and stakeholder group BRC, SRC and Scottish Government has taken place. This work is ongoing.
• A representative from COSLA updated on the work COSLA and local authorities are doing on Action 1.4 (Ensure that the needs of New Scots are reflected in the development of a toolkit for local authorities to tackle hate crime), She confirmed that COSLA’s Community Wellbeing Board has given its approval for the publication of a Hate Crime toolkit created with Scottish Government for local authorities to incorporate New Scots voices. Partners are looking to publish the toolkit later this year.
• It was also noted that COSLA is continuing to work with Scottish Government on mental health services for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). COSLA has provided capacity building through three sessions for local authority officers and is continuing to support local government staff on this.

ACTIONS

• Action 8 - SG representative will share more information on the New Scots Ethnic intersectionality Incentive with core group members once it has been published.
• Action 9 - Core group observer will contact SG representative with colleagues within the UNHCR, to provide additional information which might be helpful towards the Ethnic Intersectionality Incentive.
• Action 10 - SRC to provide update at September Core Group on the Legal Aid Board conversations.
• Action 11 - COSLA to share Hate Crime toolkit with Core Group once published.

2025 REPORT

• SG representative confirmed that partners are looking to produce a progress report on the first year of delivery. This will be relatively light touch to ensure that the focus is kept on continuing to deliver the actions in Delivery Plan. Action leads will be asked for contributions as part of this.

ACTIONS

• Action 12 – Partners will contact Core Group members for reflections on ways of working and progress over the summer.
• Action 13 - A draft report will be shared at the September core group meeting.
• Action 14 - Chair to meet with NS advisers to write their piece for the report to reflect what they have learned in the first year of being part of the Core Group. 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

• Chair noted that she had changed the agenda order slightly and invited a member to raise his Comms and Social Media Strategy proposal.

Comms and Social Media Strategy

• Core group member highlighted a lack of cross-communication on New Scots issues in Scotland, meaning that while a lot of good work is being done by this group, many people outwith the group do not have a way to see this work. He noted that this could be improved from practice he has seen elsewhere. A representative suggested that the Core Group should make improving communications and engagement with communities a priority to ensure transparency and responsiveness across New Scots stakeholders. This would build visibility and trust around the work of the Core Group and wider delivery partnerships.
• Core Group member suggested that a quarterly digital newsletter could be created to provide updates from the Core Group, hearing the experience of members with lived experience and other relevant updates. However, he noted that it should focus on reinforcing existing projects and connecting similar working and everyone interested, rather than creating new work.

• Chair noted that this would be a project led by the Core Group Advisers, but that Scottish Refugee Council had offered to support with this.

DECISION

• General agreement that good comms work would be valuable and wanted in New Scots.

ACTION

• Action 15 - Chair and SRC representative will work with Advisers to flesh out a proposal on how to take forward work on a New Scots digital bulletin (to be led by Advisors) and present this to the Core Group in September.  

Leadership Event August

• Scottish Government representative updated members on plans for an event with the New Scots Leadership Board event. It is anticipated that this will take place on Tuesday 26 August in Perth.

REFUGEE FESTIVAL SCOTLAND

• Chair invited SRC representative to provide a brief update on Refugee Festival Scotland 2025.
• SRC representative confirmed that Refugee Festival Scotland 2025 runs from this Friday 13 June until Sunday 22 June. The festival is coordinated by Scottish Refugee Council and this year there will be over 150 events across Scotland. He highlighted several events for members to attend and noted that full details are available on the Refugee Festival Scotland website. SRC also invited all members to SFC launch event CCA on Friday 13 June.

The chair thanked all members for their contributions today and noted that the date of next meeting is Thursday 18 September 2:30pm – 5pm.