MP urges PM to fulfil pledge on migrants

AN MP from Yorkshire has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to fulfil his pledge of lifting visa conditions imposed on some migrants legally working and living in the UK.

The no recourse to public funds (NRPF) conditions means that all those on a visa who have not been granted indefinite leave to remain are barred from accessing most forms of state support.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was questioned about NRPF at the Liaison Committee on May 27, where he appeared never to have heard of the policy.

Mr Johnson said he would do what he could to help those suffering due to the restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

But when Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield subsequently questioned Mr Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions last week, asking for an update on his progress, the Prime Minister appeared to step back from his commitment.

Migrants with NRPF are entitled to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the equivalent for self-employed workers, but they are barred from many other forms of state support including Universal Credit, child benefit and housing benefit.

Mr Blomfield has now written to Mr Johnson asking for him to set out “the further action you will take to fulfil your commitment to the Liaison Committee”.

Mr Blomfield said: “Boris Johnson was understandably shocked to learn that people living and working legally in the UK cannot access support when they lose their jobs because of Covid.

“When I asked him about it again at PMQs last week, he still didn’t seem to grasp exactly what the ‘no recourse to public’ funds condition really means.

“He promised to do all he could to help, and I will make sure he doesn’t forget that commitment.”

Mr Blomfield’s intervention comes after Home Secretary Priti Patel denied that NRPF is a racially discriminate policy.