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No Recourse to Public Funds: Homelessness
16 December 2025
Lead MP
Olivia Blake
Sheffield Hallam
Lab
Responding Minister
Mike Tapp
Tags
Housing
Word Count: 3663
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Olivia Blake raised concerns about no recourse to public funds: homelessness in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Will the Home Office commit to collecting better data on the number of people subject to no recourse to public funds who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness?
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The debate highlights the issue of homelessness among migrants subject to no recourse to public funds, which includes many children. Official data fails to capture hidden homelessness prevalent in migrant communities. Around 4.5 million migrants are subject to no recourse to public funds and lack access to essential benefits and support systems. On a single autumn night this year, 27% of those sleeping rough were non-British citizens, the highest proportion since 2017.
West Dorset
Congratulates the hon. Lady on securing this debate, noting that people can fall into homelessness easily, especially in rural areas due to limited support services.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member raises concerns about survivors of trafficking, emphasizing that those in the UK illegally not by their own choice should be able to access support for safe accommodation.
Stated that additional safeguarding issues for migrants will be considered, reaffirmed commitment to reducing rough sleeping, and thanked the lead MP for initiating the debate.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
My hon. Friend agrees with a previous Select Committee report suggesting exempting parents with dependent children from no recourse to public funds due to the significant costs incurred by London councils in supporting such families.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Asked about the impact of the NRPF condition on violence against women and girls.
Government Response
Mike Tapp
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department
Government Response
Acknowledges the long-standing no recourse to public funds policy and its aim to ensure migrants can financially support themselves, thus avoiding pressures on the welfare system. Confirms that most temporary migrants will not have access to benefits classed as public funds. Outlined safeguards in place for vulnerable migrants, including a change of conditions application, provided details on the voluntary returns service, mentioned ongoing work with local authorities to assess NRPF impact, committed to exploring additional data publication, and affirmed that the government believes the current system strikes the right balance between firmness and fairness.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.