The experience of children in poverty with no recourse to public funds

As part of its inquiry into children in poverty, the Committee for Work and Pensions is looking at the experiences of children who have no recourse to public funds.

Most categories of migrants in the UK, as a condition of their visa, have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). This means that they, and their children, are ineligible for most welfare benefits – this includes support with childcare costs through Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare. Undocumented migrants and people whose immigration status is insecure are also unable to claim benefits.

Barrier to employment and child development

It is not right that working families who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria are prevented from accessing vital support with registered childcare costs because they have no recourse to public funds. This is both a barrier to lifting families out of poverty, and a cause of further financial hardship within those families. There is also a real risk that families will find themselves unable to afford high quality childcare for their children, meaning that those children miss out on educational, social and developmental enrichment that helps to give them the best start in life. There is clear evidence that children who benefit from quality, enriching childcare achieve better educational outcomes and, over their lifetime, have higher earning potential.

We would urge the Committee to consider the importance of financial support with registered childcare costs for families who have no recourse to public funds as part of its ongoing inquiry

Download our full response at the top of this page.

Find out more about the inquiry here.