Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 30 June (HL Deb, col 574), what assessment they have made of the impact of the “no recourse to public funds” policy on the prevalence of poverty among people without residential status and the dependence on charities for food, housing and survival.

The NRPF policy is based on the principle that migrants coming to the UK are expected to maintain and support themselves and their families without posing a burden on the UK’s welfare system. Access to benefits and other publicly funded services reflects a migrant’s lawful status and the strength of their connections to the UK. That is why access to public funds is normally tied to indefinite leave to remain.

Those without lawful status in the UK are expected to take steps to resolve their situation, either by regularising their stay, or by leaving the UK. Help is available for people who wish to leave voluntarily. However, we recognise the unique challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic presents. That is why we have provided more than £3.2 billion of funding to local authorities in England and now a further £500 million to respond to spending pressures they are facing. The Government has also provided additional funding for the devolved administrations under the Barnett formula as part of the wider government response. Funding provided to local authorities under the?Covid-19 emergency response will be paid through a grant that is not ring-fenced, recognising that local authorities are best placed to decide how this funding is spent.

Local authorities may 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 where the wellbeing of a child is in question.

In addition, the Chancellor announced an additional £750m package of support for charities across the UK to ensure they can continue their vital work during the Covid-19 pandemic.