Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: No Recourse to Public Funds

Monday 8 June 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Edward Davey questioned the Home Secretary about suspending the "no recourse to public funds" condition during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • Holly Lynch inquired if the Home Secretary would reconsider suspending the "no recourse to public funds" rule, as suggested by the Prime Minister.
  • Joanna Cherry asked the Home Secretary to acknowledge if the "no recourse to public funds" policy disproportionately affects people from BAME backgrounds and why it would not be suspended.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Davey Lib Dem Kingston and Surbiton
Immigration Benefits & Welfare
Context

The UK government has not suspended the 'no recourse to public funds' condition during the pandemic, despite concerns raised about its impact on vulnerable migrants.

Question

If she will hold discussions with the Prime Minister on the suspension of the “no recourse to public funds” condition during the covid-19 outbreak; People who have worked and paid taxes for years are being denied support and falling into destitution. Given that the rule disproportionately impacts people in black and minority ethnic communities, will the Home Secretary suspend the rule for the duration of the pandemic?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Priti Patel)

No, we do not believe it is necessary to suspend the NRPF condition. Local authorities have provided a basic safety net with extra £3.2 billion funding from central Government. Practical support measures apply to those under “no recourse to public funds” conditions.

Answered

Not addressed: The disproportionate impact of the policy on black and minority ethnic communities was not directly addressed.

How: Emphasizing Existing Financial Provisions For Local Authorities

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Q2 Holly Lynch Lab Batley and Spen
Immigration Benefits & Welfare
Context

Ministers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government asked councils to utilise alternative powers and funding to assist people under “no recourse to public funds” conditions.

Question

With Ministers asking local authorities to use alternative powers and funding, will the Home Secretary look again at suspending the “no recourse to public funds” rule, as the Prime Minister suggested?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Priti Patel)

Discussions across Government departments have been ongoing. The “no recourse to public funds” condition does not apply to rent protections and financial support schemes like the coronavirus job retention scheme and self-employed income support scheme.

Answered

Not addressed: The need for clarity in guidance from Home Office was sidestepped.

How: Highlighting Resources Allocated By Central Government

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Q3 Joanna Cherry SNP Edinburgh South
Immigration Benefits & Welfare
Context

Public Health England highlighted inequalities suffered by black and minority ethnic communities during the pandemic.

Question

Does the Home Secretary accept that the “no recourse to public funds” policy disproportionately affects people from BAME backgrounds? If so, why will she not push for it to be suspended?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Priti Patel)

Government is looking at various policies affecting all communities without singling out one policy as racially discriminatory. There are many financial protections in place through welfare state and pupil premium for children.

Answered

Not addressed: The characterisation of the NRPF rule as inherently racist was not acknowledged.

How: Stating That The Policy Is Not Racially Discriminatory

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