In the Senedd, September 2024

The Foundation’s work on No Recourse to Public Funds and Access to Justice informed Senedd debate in September.

No Recourse to Public Funds

On 17th September, Sioned Williams MS drew on Bevan Foundation research, raising the exclusion of children affected by the No Recourse to Public Funds condition from free school meals in Wales in Plenary: 

“According to recent research by the Bevan Foundation, Welsh Government policy restricts around 1500 children in secondary schools from their right to an essential meal. And it often blocks access too to the school essentials grant, because eligibility is based on parents’ immigration status, and this disproportionately affects children from black and ethnic minorities and results in discrimination.”  

Sioned Williams MS asked the Cabinet Secretary for Education if the Welsh Government will change the free school meal policy from discretionary, to a clear entitlement. The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, noted the Foundation’s research and stated that the area of eligibility for free school meals remains under review. 

Access to justice 

In the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on 16th September, Mike Hedges MS referred to the Bevan Foundation briefing on immigration legal services in Wales. The briefing, which provides an overview of the current provision of immigration legal services in Wales, was noted by the committee.