The APPG on No Recourse to Public Funds hosted a joint event with the APPG on Migration, which explored the implications of extending the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition to even more people in the upcoming Nationality and Borders Bill.

The event: More Distinctions, Fewer Chances to Rebuild Livelihoods? The impact of Clause 10.5 of the Nationality and Borders Bill on Refugees was hosted on Zoom on Wednesday,  November 3rd, 2021 1.00 – 2.30 PM

This event focused specifically on the impact of Clause 10.5 of the Nationality and Borders Bill on refugees and their welfare. Among various aspects of the Bill, we are particularly concerned about the proposal to differentiate between groups of refugees based on their mode of arrival to the UK, and to grant limited services on this basis. 

The panel event brought together policy experts and people with lived experiences of similar policies, with the aim to examine the main limitations to introduced to refugee support by Clause 10.5 of the bill. These mainly revolve around extending the NRPF condition, limiting rights of family reunion, introducing a time-limited leave, and restricting access to indefinite leave. The event discussed the potential consequences of these measures for refugees, and their attempts to rebuild livelihoods in the UK.

The event was Co-Chaired by Kate Osamor MP and Baroness Sarah Ludford  

Speakers included:

• Jonathan Featonby, British Red Cross 
• Jennifer Blair, Helen Bamber Foundation 
• Kris Harris, Project 17
• Neil Coyle MP
• Nike and Assiatu – Individuals with lived experience of the No Recourse to Public Funds condition

A recording of the main panel proceedings can be accessed here and minutes of the event can be found here.

As part of their inquiry into children living in poverty the Work and Pensions Committee has put out a call for evidence which specifically focuses on the impact of no recourse to public funds (NRPF) on child poverty. They are looking for as many organisations and individuals as possible to put in evidence. This is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on this very serious issue and the APPG will be keeping a close eye on the inquiry and helping in any way we can.

The committee is specifically looking for answers around: 

• Approximately how many children in the UK live in households that have NRPF? What are the challenges involved in estimating this accurately?
• Is it possible to determine how many children who live in households with NRPF are British citizens?
• How many children in the UK are undocumented or have an insecure immigration status?
• What proportion of children with NRPF are living in poverty? How does this compare to children whose families do have access to public funds?
• What impact has the pandemic had on children with NRPF? Has the lifting of restrictions made any difference?
• What other financial support from the Government is available for families with NRPF who are facing financial hardship? How effective is this support?
  • How have families with NRPF benefited from the new support that the Government introduced in response to the pandemic, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the COVID Local Support Grant?
  • The Government has extended eligibility for free school meals to some categories of children with NRPF on a temporary basis. What has been the impact of this policy?
• What role do other bodies, such as local authorities and third sector organisations, play in supporting children with NRPF?
  • What impact has the pandemic had on these organisations’ capacity to support children with NRPF?
• People with leave to remain on family or human rights grounds can apply to have the NRPF condition lifted in some circumstances. How effective has this measure been at preventing families from falling into serious hardship?

More information on the inquiry can be found here.

The deadline for submitting evidence is 30 September 2021.

We have drafted a short briefing on the Nationality and Borders Bill as laid before Parliament on the 6^th of July 2021.

The briefing focuses specifically on Clause 10 of the Bill which proposes to restrict access to public funds (NRPF) to refugees given Temporary Protection Status.

There briefing can be found here

We hope the briefing will be helpful in framing future debates and helping Parliamentarians formulate questions and amendments.

If you have any questions about the briefing please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on appg@project17.org.uk

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on No Recourse to Public Funds invites you to a panel discussion on:

The end of the EU Settlement Scheme and the impact on families with NRPF

Wednesday July 7th 2020

10:30 – 11:30

Location: Virtual (Zoom link will be circulated to registered participants prior to meeting.

This event, hosted by the APPG on No Recourse to Public Funds, will look at the issues families with children experience in regularising their status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and the potential negative impact on those who did not manage submit an application before the 30^th of June deadline. In addition, we will look at a recent legal challenge to the eligibility of non-EU parents of British children (Zambrano carers) to apply for settlement under EUSS and the impact this could have on thousands of families and children in the UK.

The discussion will be chaired by Kate Osamor MP, the chair of the APPG on NRPF.

Speakers will include:

Michael Spencer – Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers

Amy Grey – Immigration Solicitor on Rights of Women’s EUSS Project

Franchesca and Juliet – Persons with lived experience of making applications under EUSS

If you would like to attend, please sign up here or email appg@project17.org.uk

Documents:

Minutes from the meeting

Short briefing circulated to members prior to meeting

After a short hiatus the APPG on NRPF held our Annual General Meeting on the 9th of June 2021. During the meeting officers were elected and a work plan agreed for the coming year.

Minutes from the meeting can be found here

This online meeting of the APPG on NRPF will look at the impact that COVID-19 is having on people with NRPF. 

Guest speakers:

Nadia Chalabi, Free School Meals Advocate, Hackney Migrant Centre

Rukayat, Shakira, Rashidat, and Esther, WINGS

Henry St Clair Miller, NRPF Network

Andy Jolly, Researcher, Institute for Community Research and Development at the University of Wolverhampton

This event, hosted by the APPG on No Recourse to Public Funds, will look at the issues facing migrant women who experience domestic abuse, and explore how the Domestic Abuse Bill can be used to ensure all women can access support and safety, regardless of immigration status.

Guest speakers:

Pragna Patel, Director, Southall Black Sisters

Dorothy, survivor 

Gisela Valle, Director, Latin American Women’s Rights Service

Marieke Widmann, Policy and Practice Advisor, The Children’s Society

Sara Reis, Head of Research and Policy, Women’s Budget Group

The event explored children and young people’s experiences of the hostile environment through the lens of the school day, creating an important opportunity to hear from young people who are navigating the immigration system, and the campaigning they are doing to change it for the better and secure their rights.

Minutes from the event can be accessed here