Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support people with no recourse to public funds, in the context of the cost-of-living crisis.

Successive governments have taken the view that access to benefits and other publicly funded services should reflect the strength of a migrant’s connections to the UK and, in the main, only become available to migrants when they have become settled here with indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable people and has ensured support has been available to those with NRPF when it has been appropriate to do so, including as part of cost-of-living support schemes.

In recognition of the growing cost of living pressures, the £11.7 billion Energy Bills Support Scheme forms part of the £37 billion cost of living assistance package for consumers over the winter of 2022 to 2023 to support families with rising global energy prices. Those with NRPF will be eligible for some support within this scheme.

To assist more families, those with NRPF can now access free school meals and free early years education for two-year-olds, subject to the relevant income thresholds.

Those who have made the necessary national insurance contributions can also claim contributory benefits such as contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance, statutory sick pay, and state pension.

Migrants with permission under the Family or Private Life routes, or outside the rules on the basis of their Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, or the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route can also apply for free to have their NRPF condition lifted by making a ‘change of conditions’ application. An individual can apply to have their NRPF condition lifted if they are destitute or at risk of imminent destitution, if there are reasons relating to the welfare of a relevant child, or where there are other exceptional financial circumstances.