No Recourse to Public Funds Covid-19 2021-02-08
2021-02-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Since the start of the covid-19 lockdown in January 2021, there has been concern about the support provided by the government to people who have no recourse to public funds. The questioner references evidence heard at the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.
What support her Department has provided to people with no recourse to public funds since the start of the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021?
The Government remain committed to supporting everyone through this pandemic. Many of the wide-ranging covid-19 measures the Government have put in place are available to migrants with NRPF, including the coronavirus job retention scheme, statutory sick pay and discretionary hardship payments for those who have to self-isolate. In addition, migrants with leave under family and human rights routes can also apply to have the NRPF condition lifted, something that is successful now in 85% of cases, in just 17 days.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about detailed support measures for individuals with no recourse to public funds was not fully addressed. The answer focused more on general commitments and some statistics without providing a comprehensive update.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee heard evidence indicating that the unwillingness of the Home Office to suspend no recourse to public funds and a lack of clarity over support have had devastating consequences during the pandemic. The questioner is concerned about policy opacity around section 4 eligibility for individuals with no recourse to public funds.
After hearing evidence at the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on homelessness, I know that the unwillingness of the Home Office to suspend no recourse to public funds and a lack of clarity over support have had devastating consequences during this pandemic for many. Despite being over a month into this lockdown, policy is still opaque around section 4 eligibility for individuals with no recourse to public funds. Will the Minister provide an update on this as a matter of urgency?
There is absolute clarity about the benefits. I have mentioned things like the coronavirus job retention scheme already, and I have mentioned how people on family and human rights routes can get the NRPF condition lifted, but I did not mention the over £8 billion available via local authorities for NRPF-eligible migrants to apply for. In addition, the hon. Member asked about section 4: people on section 4 support do get accommodation provided by the Home Office. We currently now have, I think, about 61,000 people in accommodation. That is up from about 48,000 before the pandemic, precisely because we are looking after the people most in need.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for an urgent update on section 4 eligibility and support was not fully addressed, as the answer provided general information but did not give a concrete update on these policies.
Response accuracy