Joint response: Windrush lessons learned review, October 2018

A joint submission from the LGA and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Network in response to the consultation flags the issues around council support for those with NRPF more broadly.

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Key messages

  • Although very few people supported by local authorities meet the Windrush criteria, the lessons learned review must consider the wider impact of immigration policies that adversely affect people who have a long term future in the UK and that prevent them from being able to document this.
  • Local authorities play a vital role in alleviating migrant destitution by providing housing and financial support to families, care leavers and vulnerable adults who are excluded from mainstream welfare benefits due to their immigration status.
  • The lack of a strategic approach to the resolution of local authority supported cases by the Home Office, and immigration policies that create barriers to obtaining leave to remain, are detrimental to the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, hinder the integration of people whose long-term future is in the UK and have resulted in significant direct costs for local authorities.
  • Support for people with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) is administered by social services in adherence with safeguarding duties set out in the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014.
  • This support is unfunded by central government and costs a sample of 50 local authorities at least £43.5 million per year to administer. This unsustainable, unfunded pressure comes at a time in which Councils continue to face significant funding challenges after years of unprecedented reductions, with an overall funding gap of £5.8 billion anticipated by 2020.
  • Data referenced in this submission clearly demonstrates that the pathway off dependency on social services’ support for the majority of households will be obtaining leave to remain with recourse to public funds. With the average time spent on support at just under 2.5 years, this indicates that people experience significant delays throughout the process of achieving leave to remain in the UK. More detailed information is below.

Download the full response from the LGA and the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Network

Joint response: Windrush lessons learned review, October 2018