Committees

Children in poverty: No recourse to public funds - Work and Pensions Committee to hold first oral evidence session

19 October 2021

The Work and Pensions Committee is holding the first oral evidence session as part of its work examining the experiences of children whose families have no access to welfare benefits.

Background

The investigation into children with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) is the second part of the Committee’s overall children in poverty inquiry. Last month the Committee published a report on child poverty measurements and targets.

As a condition of their visa, most categories of migrants in the UK have no recourse to public funds, meaning that they and their children are unable to claim benefits. Undocumented migrants and people whose immigration status is insecure are also unable to claim benefits. The Children’s Society has estimated that more than one million people have NRPF, including nearly 150,000 children, of whom some are British citizens.

Purpose of the session

This latest part of the inquiry will examine how the number of children with NRPF can be better measured, how many are living in poverty and the support that is available to families facing financial hardship. It will also look at the impact of the Covid pandemic on children with NRPF.

This first oral evidence session will feature policy experts from charities, support organisations and local authorities.

Witnesses

Wednesday 20th October

At 9.30am

Panel 1

  • Azmina Siddique, Policy and Research Manager (Child Poverty and Inequality), Children’s Society
  • Catherine Houlcroft, Principal Projects Officer, NRPF Network
  • Morgan Wild, Head of Policy, Citizens Advice
  • Caz Hattam, Coordinator, The Unity Project

Panel 2

  • Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Southwark Council
  • Penny Ademuyiwa, Assistant Director, North Kent
  • Leah Arnold, Service Manager, Strengthening Families, City of Wolverhampton Council
  • Christianah Awodiji, Team Manager NRPF, Manchester Local Care Organisation
  • Susanne Millar, Chief Officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership

Further information

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