Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to provide a support package for migrants in the UK without access to public funds during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by the covid-19 outbreak. We are continually reviewing the situation to consider what more can be done.

Individuals who have leave to remain on human rights grounds can already apply to have their no recourse to public funds condition lifted if they would otherwise be destitute. We are working to ensure that those who are eligible to have the condition lifted can have a decision taken as swiftly as possible.

Local authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or family cases.

Covid-19 has been added to the list of communicable diseases so anyone experiencing symptoms regardless of their immigration status will be treated for free.

A dedicated covid-19 immigration help-centre has been set up to deal with queries. The best way to contact the help-centre is via email on CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.