There’s good news for struggling families, with the Home Office announcing that it will stop punishing migrant families who ask for help.
Almost 1.4 million people in the UK have a condition on their visa called ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF). This means they’re barred from accessing key benefits like Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance for years on end, until they are finally allowed to apply for stable status (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
This rule forces people to take any job they can find – even if conditions are unsafe or unfair. Those who lost their job or had to shield during the pandemic have faced destitution, as they have had no other income or support with their bills. Research by Citizens Advice in November 2021 found that 84% of people with NRPF are in work – but 81% are behind on at least one household bill.
This cruel policy disproportionately impacts people from ethnic minorities, who are more likely to hold these visa…