Recommendations & Conclusions
22 items
1
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We are very pleased that the Government has now permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children from all families with NRPF. We heard repeatedly from parents and organisations about the positive impact this would have on children in poverty, their long-term prospects and ability to contribute to the UK.
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We are very pleased that the Government has now permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children from all families with NRPF. We heard repeatedly from parents and organisations about the positive impact this would have on children in poverty, their long-term prospects and ability to contribute to the UK.
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Government response AI summary
The Government thanks the Committee for the time and effort invested in conducting an inquiry into child poverty and publishing the ‘Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds report’.
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Department for Work and Pensions
2
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the Government undertakes research to establish if children in families subject to the NRPF condition are overrepresented in serious case reviews. We are pleased that the Department for Education is enthusiastic about improving the communication between organisations on children’s welfare, neglect, and abuse and ask that the …
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We recommend that the Government undertakes research to establish if children in families subject to the NRPF condition are overrepresented in serious case reviews. We are pleased that the Department for Education is enthusiastic about improving the communication between organisations on children’s welfare, neglect, and abuse and ask that the DfE report back to us within six months on the work it is doing to improve safeguarding for children, particularly those with parents with NRPF.
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Government response AI summary
The Department for Education will consider whether no recourse to public funds (NRPF) is an indicator of risk in serious child safeguarding cases via the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, and will also consider updating the Serious Incidents Notification System by adding a NRPF indicator.
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Department for Work and Pensions
3
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We heard worrying evidence about the impact of the NRPF condition on survivors of domestic violence, including children. We are pleased that the Government has launched the Support for Migrant Victims Scheme pilot, in addition to the support offered through the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession. We are, however, concerned the …
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We heard worrying evidence about the impact of the NRPF condition on survivors of domestic violence, including children. We are pleased that the Government has launched the Support for Migrant Victims Scheme pilot, in addition to the support offered through the Destitution Domestic Violence Concession. We are, however, concerned the pilot ended on 31 March 2022, and now parents and children with NRPF will once again lack the support they need to leave abusive relationships.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated its commitment to supporting all victims of domestic abuse and providing support through the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession and the Support for Migrant Victims pilot, and that £1.4 million will be provided in 2022-23 to continue to fund support for migrant victims …
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Department for Work and Pensions
4
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Accepted in Part
We recommend the Government ensures the Support for Migrant Victims Scheme is evaluated swiftly and consequential policy decisions are made quickly. The pilot must be fully rolled out or alternative measures put in place immediately to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse, including children, receive support when and where it …
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We recommend the Government ensures the Support for Migrant Victims Scheme is evaluated swiftly and consequential policy decisions are made quickly. The pilot must be fully rolled out or alternative measures put in place immediately to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse, including children, receive support when and where it is needed. We ask the Government to update us on whether or not the scheme will be permanently in place when the evaluation has been completed. The Government should also explain what support for survivors of domestic abuse with NRPF will be available between the end of the pilot in March and the introduction of any subsequent scheme.
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Government response AI summary
The government will provide £1.4 million in 2022–23 to continue to fund support for migrant victims of domestic abuse while vital lessons learned from the pilot inform future policy decisions, but the timeline for implementing policy recommendations is dependent on the details of those recommendations.
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Department for Work and Pensions
5
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We are pleased that the Government is contemplating and planning to consult on whether all children from families with NRPF should have access to the two- year-old entitlement. We believe that parents with NRPF have been prevented from working as much as they can to relieve financial pressures on their …
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We are pleased that the Government is contemplating and planning to consult on whether all children from families with NRPF should have access to the two- year-old entitlement. We believe that parents with NRPF have been prevented from working as much as they can to relieve financial pressures on their families due to restricted access to free childcare. The Government wants to ensure that people with NRPF are in work and it is in the interest of families and their employers to make childcare accessible. This is a step in the right direction. We urge the Government to undertake its consultation swiftly and consider positively the extension of the two-year-old entitlement to all children from families with NRPF conditions.
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Government response AI summary
The government noted the consultation on extending the two-year-old entitlement to children from families with NRPF, stating it opened on 25 March 2022 and closed on 20 May 2022, but does not explicitly commit to extending the entitlement.
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Department for Work and Pensions
6
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Accepted
We recommend that the Department for Education complete its consultation on whether there are any additional groups of children from families with NRPF who are not yet eligible for the two-year entitlement within six months. As the Government Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds 49 creates future childcare …
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We recommend that the Department for Education complete its consultation on whether there are any additional groups of children from families with NRPF who are not yet eligible for the two-year entitlement within six months. As the Government Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds 49 creates future childcare policies, it should ensure that childcare is not a barrier to work for NRPF families and that they are aware of their childcare entitlements.
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Government response AI summary
The government had already opened its consultation on whether additional groups of children from families with NRPF should be eligible for the two-year entitlement, which closed on 20 May 2022.
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Department for Work and Pensions
7
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We welcome this recognition from the Government that 10 years is an excessively long period for a young person to wait for indefinite leave to remain, and access to public funds, and that five years is a more appropriate period.
Government response AI summary
The Home Office has recently introduced Appendix Private Life to the Immigration Rules, bringing the concession on early settlement introduced on 20 October 2021 into the Immigration Rules.
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Department for Work and Pensions
8
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Rejected
The levels of deprivation children in poverty endure as a result of their parents being subject to the NRPF condition should not be allowed to dominate any childhood. Many parents will have NRPF for 10 years—much of a child’s formative years. Given that parents could be without access to child-related …
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The levels of deprivation children in poverty endure as a result of their parents being subject to the NRPF condition should not be allowed to dominate any childhood. Many parents will have NRPF for 10 years—much of a child’s formative years. Given that parents could be without access to child-related benefits and other forms of social security for 10 years, children, many of which are or become British citizens, may spend the majority of their childhood living in poverty, which will have a negative impact on their development and adulthood.
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Government response AI summary
The government has no plans to shorten the maximum period of time spent subject to NRPF for families with children, as those migrating to the UK are generally expected to maintain and support themselves and any accompanying family without reliance on the UK’s welfare system.
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Department for Work and Pensions
9
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Rejected
We recommend the Government significantly reduces the period for which children may be subjected to NRPF conditions. Parents with children should be given access to public funds after a maximum period of five years.
Government response AI summary
The government does not plan to shorten the maximum period of time spent subject to NRPF for families with children, stating those migrating to the UK are generally expected to maintain and support themselves and any accompanying family without reliance on the UK’s welfare system.
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Department for Work and Pensions
10
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Rejected
Most of those who gave evidence were keen to see an end to the no recourse to public funds condition. But we think the Government is unlikely to change this policy and such a change could result in fewer people bring granted visas to the UK. As an alternative, we …
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Most of those who gave evidence were keen to see an end to the no recourse to public funds condition. But we think the Government is unlikely to change this policy and such a change could result in fewer people bring granted visas to the UK. As an alternative, we have concluded that it is both affordable and appropriate for the Government to extend Child Benefit to all British children irrespective of their parents’ immigration status. We recommend it does so as soon as possible.
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Government response AI summary
The government does not accept the recommendation to extend Child Benefit to all British children irrespective of their parents’ immigration status, arguing that existing provisions cover eligible families and that those without indefinite leave to remain should be able to support themselves.
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Department for Work and Pensions
11
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Accepted
We recommend the Department for Work and Pensions improve its guidance and practice on the social security entitlements that people with NRPF already have, in order to increase take up of that support. We ask the Department to write to us within three months explaining what improvements it plans to …
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We recommend the Department for Work and Pensions improve its guidance and practice on the social security entitlements that people with NRPF already have, in order to increase take up of that support. We ask the Department to write to us within three months explaining what improvements it plans to make, how they will be implemented and awareness raised. (Paragraph 36) Data
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Government response AI summary
The Department of Work and Pensions will review its guidance and communications to ensure that it is clear to those with a NRPF condition what they can and cannot access, and will write to the Committee within three months on the outcome of this review.
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Department for Work and Pensions
12
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
The Home Office does not collect sufficient data on the number of families with NRPF. Whilst we appreciate that the Home Office is attempting to improve its data collection, NRPF is not a new policy and it is shocking that the Government is unable to provide Parliament with an estimate …
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The Home Office does not collect sufficient data on the number of families with NRPF. Whilst we appreciate that the Home Office is attempting to improve its data collection, NRPF is not a new policy and it is shocking that the Government is unable to provide Parliament with an estimate of how many people are subject to NRPF. Without accurate data it is impossible for Government, local authorities and NGOs to cost and plan support for families with NRPF. This is particularly concerning given the increase in the number of parents with NRPF following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and implementation of the Nationality and Borders Bill.
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Government response AI summary
The Home Office is committed to continuing to improve the data that is published on NRPF and will explore further data availability on NRPF and on migrant poverty, including on children in poverty, while recognizing the challenges posed in identifying and gathering the relevant data.
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Department for Work and Pensions
13
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We recommend the Home Office collect and publish data on the number of people with NRPF attached to their limited leave to remain in the UK. The Home Office should also invest time and resource into establishing the number of British children affected by NRPF. We recommend the Government use …
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We recommend the Home Office collect and publish data on the number of people with NRPF attached to their limited leave to remain in the UK. The Home Office should also invest time and resource into establishing the number of British children affected by NRPF. We recommend the Government use this data to improve evaluation of the 50 Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds impact of the NRPF policy on children in poverty. We ask the Home Office to provide a written update on its data gathering regarding those with NRPF conditions and children living in families with NRPF on their leave to remain within six months. We also ask to be kept updated on the collaborative work that the Home Office and the ONS are doing on the issue of migrant poverty. (Paragraph 47) Change of conditions
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Government response AI summary
The Home Office is committed to continuing to improve the data that is published on NRPF and will further explore data availability on NRPF and on migrant poverty, including on children in poverty, while recognising the challenges posed in identifying and gathering the relevant data.
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Department for Work and Pensions
14
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We are pleased that the Home Office has changed its policy to prevent those on the 5 year route from being automatically transferred to the 10 year route in the event of a successful change of condition application. However, this is only for families who are no longer accessing public …
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We are pleased that the Home Office has changed its policy to prevent those on the 5 year route from being automatically transferred to the 10 year route in the event of a successful change of condition application. However, this is only for families who are no longer accessing public funds when they apply for indefinite leave to remain, so this change is unlikely to benefit all families who’ve been living in poverty with NRPF.
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Government response AI summary
The Home Office has suspended the practice of moving an applicant that has received recourse to public funds off the five-year route to settlement, but the ability for an applicant to be able to support themselves without recourse to public funds is a key strand …
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Department for Work and Pensions
15
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that people on the 5 year route to leave to remain are not moved onto the 10 year route following a successful application for a change of conditions, even if they are still accessing public funds when they apply for settlement. We further recommend that the Home Office …
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We recommend that people on the 5 year route to leave to remain are not moved onto the 10 year route following a successful application for a change of conditions, even if they are still accessing public funds when they apply for settlement. We further recommend that the Home Office urgently updates its website with guidance on this policy change.
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Government response AI summary
The Home Office has suspended the practice of moving an applicant that has received recourse to public funds following a change of conditions application off the five-year route to settlement at the point a decision is made, but the ability to stay on this route …
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Department for Work and Pensions
16
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Rejected
We are pleased to hear that the Government’s NRPF forum is regularly receiving feedback on the change of conditions process. We recommend that the work of the Government’s NRPF Forum is more transparent and readily available to stakeholders. We ask the Government to publish the number of times the NRPF …
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We are pleased to hear that the Government’s NRPF forum is regularly receiving feedback on the change of conditions process. We recommend that the work of the Government’s NRPF Forum is more transparent and readily available to stakeholders. We ask the Government to publish the number of times the NRPF forum meets, as well as who attended, items discussed and outcomes. We ask for the Government to publish this information within four weeks after each meeting of the NRPF forum.
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Government response AI summary
The government will not publish the minutes of the NRPF Forum meetings, but minutes and action logs are shared with members.
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Department for Work and Pensions
17
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Accepted
Many parents told us that without the help of charities they would not have been successful in their change of conditions application. The charities providing this assistance are often small, with limited resources. We recommend the Government fund independent support for change of conditions applications, using the Help to Claim …
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Many parents told us that without the help of charities they would not have been successful in their change of conditions application. The charities providing this assistance are often small, with limited resources. We recommend the Government fund independent support for change of conditions applications, using the Help to Claim service for Universal Credit as a model.
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Government response AI summary
The government claims that the Home Office already provides support for applicants who are trying to make a change of conditions application, by contacting the Home Office to access help and get help with completing the online form.
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Department for Work and Pensions
18
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Deferred
We recommend the Home Office introduces a clear process for applicants to challenge a change of conditions refusal. We recommend the review of the pilot scheme is published alongside a timeline showing when the conclusions from the pilot will be implemented. We also recommend the Home Office improves the data …
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We recommend the Home Office introduces a clear process for applicants to challenge a change of conditions refusal. We recommend the review of the pilot scheme is published alongside a timeline showing when the conclusions from the pilot will be implemented. We also recommend the Home Office improves the data it collects on change of conditions applications to include (i) whether or not the applicant has children, and (ii) the reason(s) for rejections. (Paragraph 64) Local Authorities
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Government response AI summary
The government is conducting a review of the administrative review pilot and will consider the introduction of an administrative review for all change of conditions applications after the review is completed later this year, but has no current plans to publish the findings.
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Department for Work and Pensions
19
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Rejected
Thousands of families with NRPF are supported by local authorities under Section 17 every year, with costs running into the tens of millions. We are concerned that this indicates that the mechanisms used to support households in poverty with no recourse to public funds does not represent value for money …
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Thousands of families with NRPF are supported by local authorities under Section 17 every year, with costs running into the tens of millions. We are concerned that this indicates that the mechanisms used to support households in poverty with no recourse to public funds does not represent value for money for the taxpayer. (Paragraph 70) Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds 51
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Government response AI summary
The Home Office does not plan to carry out a cost-benefit analysis on NRPF because it would not be feasible to do so meaningfully.
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Department for Work and Pensions
20
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Rejected
We are concerned that it is not cost effective for local authorities to operate their own alternative welfare system, and that support for families is inconsistent across the UK. We recommend that the Government carry out an analysis of whether it would be more cost effective for families with NRPF …
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We are concerned that it is not cost effective for local authorities to operate their own alternative welfare system, and that support for families is inconsistent across the UK. We recommend that the Government carry out an analysis of whether it would be more cost effective for families with NRPF to have earlier access to the welfare system, and, if so, bring forward proposals along these lines. One option could be to enable local authorities to apply on behalf of families with NRPF for a change of conditions.
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Government response AI summary
The Home Office does not plan to carry out a cost-benefit analysis on NRPF because it would not be feasible to do so meaningfully due to practicalities around estimating the total population subject to NRPF present in the UK at any one time.
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Department for Work and Pensions
21
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
Discretionary welfare funds are a public fund and therefore largely inaccessible to people with NRPF, however, the guidance the Government provides to local authorities has caused confusion and many families have not received additional support.
Government response AI summary
The government stated its commitment to protecting vulnerable people and ensured support has been available to those with NRPF, highlighting COVID-19 measures, funding to local authorities, and the Energy Rebate Scheme, and that the Home Office supports local authorities in understanding their duties.
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Department for Work and Pensions
22
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Children in poverty: N…
Acknowledged
We recommend the Government provide additional support to local authorities in areas with large NRPF populations through direct and targeted funding. We further recommend the Government consider reclassifying discretionary welfare payments, so they are excluded from the ‘public funds’ definition used for NRPF purposes, rather than asking local authorities to …
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We recommend the Government provide additional support to local authorities in areas with large NRPF populations through direct and targeted funding. We further recommend the Government consider reclassifying discretionary welfare payments, so they are excluded from the ‘public funds’ definition used for NRPF purposes, rather than asking local authorities to use their own judgment or take individual legal advice. Confusion over what local authorities can provide to families with NRPF is a waste of both time and money. (Paragraph 75) 52 Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds
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Government response AI summary
The government stated its commitment to protecting vulnerable people and ensured support has been available to those with NRPF, highlighting COVID-19 measures, funding to local authorities, and the Energy Rebate Scheme, and that the Home Office supports local authorities in understanding their duties.
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Department for Work and Pensions