No Recourse to Public Funds

That this House believes that the Government has a duty to ensure that everyone living in the UK is protected from both the health and financial impacts of Coronavirus; understands that long before the pandemic No Recourse to Public Funds restrictions have pushed migrants and their families into poverty and homelessness; recognises that migrants with NRPF have been forced to choose between continuing to work throughout the pandemic or providing for their families; is deeply concerned that migrants who may lose their jobs as unemployment levels rise are at high risk of hardship and destitution; believes that preventing people from entering destitution should be a priority and is more effective than waiting until local authorities have a duty to intervene; believes NRPF restrictions are nothing more than a cost-shunt on to local authorities who are already struggling under the weight of funding cuts; recognises that although the policy allows for applications on a case-by-case basis to have the condition removed, it is incredibly difficult in practice, does not prevent abject poverty, and may unfairly lengthen the route to settlement by five years; further recognises that the hostile environment in all its forms increases racial discrimination; and calls on the Government to urgently suspend NRPF conditions.