Cash First in Glasgow

Background

Over the last few years, there has been a lot of work done to identify the best ways to mitigate food poverty in Scotland and the rest of the UK. An independent short life working group on food poverty published the report “Dignity: Ending Hunger Together in Scotland” in June 2016, with recommendations based on the principles of dignity and inclusion, and an approach to food poverty and food insecurity in Scotland based on the “right to food”. Recommendations from the report included ensuring that people with lived experience of food poverty are at the heart of change, and that food poverty needs to be tackled in a way that enhances dignity and embodies respect. The findings from this report led to the Scottish Government setting up the Fair Food Transformation Fund, to “support projects that give a more dignified response to food poverty and help to move away from emergency food aid as the first response.” 

This led to the formation of a partnership project called “A Menu for Change” in 2017, run by Oxfam, Poverty Alliance, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland and Nourish Scotland, with the goal to help tackle the drivers of food insecurity in Scotland while also improving emergency responses to it.  

The Scottish Government published its plan towards ending the need for foodbanks in Scotland in June 2023 with a commitment to respecting and fulfilling human rights which includes the right to food, and for people to be able to access food that meets their dietary, social and cultural needs. Following on from this plan, the Scottish Government has funded eight Cash First Partnership pilot projects for two years across Scotland to learn what works in different contexts. These partnerships are based in urban, rural and island settings across Scotland, and will take different approaches to addressing levels of poverty and food insecurity, in line with their local context, infrastructure, challenges and user needs. The partnerships have been provided with learning and evaluation support to take a national approach to learning from the pilots. 

About the project

The term “cash first” is borrowed from international development; it recognises that food poverty is usually due to a lack of adequate income and was first introduced to the conversation as part of “A Menu for Change”. Cash-first approaches can include small cash transfers, vouchers and financial advice, to help people buy the essentials. Using this approach expands support beyond food aid and allows better engagement with low-income communities facing food insecurity, which is a particularly acute problem in Glasgow, where 32.9% of all children are living in poverty. (Source: End Child Poverty statistics for 2023).

Food insecurity affects both body and mind. Cash-first solutions ease the mental strain of poverty; providing a more comprehensive support than emergency food aid, reducing anxiety and giving people more agency. They not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term well-being and resilience.  At the core of cash-first approaches is respect for individual autonomy and dignity. These projects are often developed with input from the people they serve, ensuring their needs shape the solutions. This proactive strategy aims to prevent problems, fostering empowerment and community.