Scotland is piloting a programme toward eliminating the need for food banks in the country. Called Cash-First, the programme provides access to emergency cash payments that enables people to buy food and other essentials that meet their needs and preferences. The payments are provided alongside appropriate advice.
The programme, which started in 2023, takes a human rights approach to financial hardship and aims to:
The plan contains nine distinct actions over three years (2023-2026). The first action supports eight new local partnerships that deliver the programme, with each taking a tailored approach shaped by local need and dynamics.
GC Insight is proud to have conducted the interim evaluation of the first year of this innovative programme. The report, which has been published, assesses the implementation of Cash-First activities delivered by the partners, the role of the learning partner, and the impact of the programme as a whole.
Our evaluation addressed these research questions:
Methodology
We used a mixed methodology to undertake the evaluation, consisting of qualitative and quantitative methods across the eight Delivery Partners. As the evaluation progressed, it became clear that not all aspects of the methodology would be appropriate for every area due to the differences between the Delivery Partner approaches and implementation timelines. Reflecting the different approaches in each area, the methodology and research tools were used flexibly, although there was a high degree of consistency to allow for a Programme-level evaluation.
Outcomes
Has the programme been implemented and delivered as intended?
The evaluation found that Cash-First has largely been implemented as intended.
There is a good understanding of the aims of Cash-First amongst Delivery Partners. However, amongst wider stakeholders, the Cash-First approach was not universally understood or always viewed as an appropriate intervention, and confidence in Cash-First among some local stakeholders can be limited.
Delivery partners encountered some persistent negative views about the programme’s approach across both public and third sector organisations. As food banks are sometimes viewed as a core service, Cash-First can be perceived by some as a threat.
Despite a fragmented and cluttered service landscape, delivery partners were able to mobilise quickly and efficiently to implement the service.
What has been produced as a result of the Programme?
There are a wide variety of activities and approaches across the different areas, reflecting that delivery partners tailored their actions to fit local needs. There were several positive results in the first year, including:
What difference has the Programme made and for whom?
Over the first year of the Programme, there have been 4,809 interactions with people. This includes repeat users who may have had multiple payments, or people sharing a household. Through these interactions, the Programme has distributed £195,530 in payments in Year 1.
Early impacts for stakeholders
The new relationships across organisations that were created in the first year helped expand the reach of the programme and build learning and experience across the wider support ecosystem.
Early impacts for beneficiaries
There are some early signs of Cash-First approaches having a positive impact on reducing food insecurity, though it was too early to assess long-term impacts.
The wrap-around support provided is viewed very positively by beneficiaries, and further work in this space is likely to ensure long lasting positive impacts for individuals and households.
There is some early evidence that the Programme is positively impacting on wellbeing through increased confidence, reduced stress, and by addressing isolation.
It is not clear from the year one findings whether the positive outcomes are due to the cash payment or the wider support services offered.
Early impacts on overall outcomes and sustainability of the programme
The Cash-First Programme is time-limited with finite and defined funding. Direct impacts achieved to date may therefore be limited and may take time to be seen. It is generally accepted that Cash-First alone will not end the need for food banks, but it is expected to be a contributing factor to achieving this goal.
To date, Cash-First approaches have not reduced food bank use among all service beneficiaries, but there is qualitative evidence from some beneficiaries that they have used food banks less as a result of Cash-First.
However, there are wider systemic issues and causes of poverty that need to be addressed if the need for food banks is to be ended. Food bank use is a symptom of deeper issues. Food insecurity does not stand in isolation and is intrinsically linked to wider poverty issues including fuel insecurity and wellbeing, and Cash-First has to work effectively with other services.
You can read the full report on the Scottish Government’s website here.
