Boris Johnson apparently unaware some migrants have no recourse to public funds

Bo ris Johnson has promised to look into a condition of the immigration system which has left people with no state financial support during the coronavirus crisis.

The Prime Minister said he would "see what we can do to help" people who have no recourse to public funds.

No recourse to public funds (NRPF) is a standard condition applied to people staying in the UK with a temporary immigration status.

But Mr Johnson appeared to be caught off guard when challenged about the measure by a senior MP at the Liaison Committee.

Work and Pensions Select Committee chairman Stephen Timms highlighted a couple in his East Ham constituency with two children who were being forced into "destitution" as a result of NRPF.

He told the Prime Minister: "The husband's employer didn't put him on the job retention scheme, so he has zero income.

"His wife is still working but her income is less than their household rent. They have leave to remain in the UK but no recourse to public funds, so they can't get any help at all."

Mr Johnson questioned why they were not eligible for benefits such as Universal Credit or employment support allowance, but Mr Timms explained that was a result of the NRPF condition.

The Prime Minister said: "I'm going to have to come back to you on that scheme.

"Because, you know, clearly the people who have worked hard for this country to live and work here should have support of one kind or another.

"You've raised a very, very important point if a condition of their leave to remain is that they should have no recourse to public funds.

"I will find out how many there are in that position, and we will see what we can do to help."

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "That the Prime Minister apparently had no idea what 'no recourse to public funds' was and meant for people is extraordinarily worrying.

"We've called for its suspension in this public health emergency and, with the Prime Minister promising to look at it, let's hope that he can persuade the Home Secretary to think again."

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: "It is simply astonishing that Boris Johnson seems to have not even been aware of the impact of his own Government's heartless policy."

Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society said:

“Thank you to the Prime Minister asking the crucial question – why aren’t hardworking people who have leave to remain in this country eligible for crucial support like Universal Credit? People who work hard for our country should have access to support of one kind or another during these difficult times, which is why we are calling for a suspension to the NRPF condition. 

“Our research at The Children’s Society has shown that many of those who have NRPF are working in frontline roles during the CV-19 crisis – as NHS cleaners, in social care or food preparation – but have no support to rely on when they are most in need. We welcome the PM’s offer to find out how many are affected as current Home Office data gathering on this is limited, though we estimate that more than 100,000 children could be affected.”
“We will be writing to the Prime Minister about this issue and look forward to his response.”