Migration 
New report from the Bevan Foundation calls for more action to be taken to support people subject to NRPF in Wales
The report, “What Am I Supposed to Do?”: Living with No Recourse to Public Funds in the Nation of Sanctuary’, emerges from a six-month study aimed to improve access to vital services for people subject to the NRPF condition in Wales.
No recourse to public funds (NRPF) is a condition attached to most people in the UK who do not have settled status. It restricts access to many of the mainstream benefits that others can access in times of financial hardship. The NRPF condition places people and families in a precarious position, at risk of falling into destitution.
The core message of the report is that more needs to be done in Wales to support people with no recourse to public funds and to prevent destitution. Help at key stages can enable people to overcome temporary difficulties and financially support themselves. The research found that local authority planning, policies, and training are inadequate, and that too little is known about the rules that prevent people and families and families from accessing welfare support. This risks the needs of adults and children affected by NRPF going unmet.
Key findings:
- Children from low-income households are being denied access to free school meals, purely because of their parent’s immigration status.
- Only 32 per cent of local authorities provide or commission training on NRPF for staff.
- Support for people with NRPF across Wales is patchy and inconsistent.
- There is a desperate shortage of legal advice services to offer advice and help with changing status.
- International students are paying thousands of pounds in unnecessary and unexpected costs, leaving them struggling financially.
- More joint working and partnerships between councils and charities are needed.
Pages: 66
Format: PDF
Language: English
Cost: Free
