Josh Jones, a Citizens Advice advisor, said: “Many of the people we’re helping who are subject to NRPF have lost work in the economic crisis resulting from the pandemic. They’re now facing the prospect of losing the roof over their heads and potentially their right to stay in the country.
“Advising people with NRPF is one of the hardest parts of my job, because people are facing desperate situations. I wish there was more I could do to get them financial assistance and support them.”
Citizens Advice said migrant workers are disproportionately likely to be employed in sectors worst affected by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, including hospitality, admin and support services, and transportation and storage.
In the nine months since the pandemic began, the charity has seen a 91 per cent year-on-year increase in the levels of advice given to those without Government support. Some of the problems faced by those unable to claim support included the cost of self-isolating, debt and redundancy.
The new figures were released on a “day of action” by street homelessness groups and faith leaders calling on the Government to increase support for rough sleepers and extend it to those who don’t have access to public money.
Citizens UK will lead charities calling on the housing secretary to build on the Everyone In policy, which brought 15,000 rough sleepers off the streets in March, as a “moral and public health priority”.
A small delegation will deliver a Christmas card and candle to the Housing Secretary, containing messages from across the country asking the Government to ensure homeless people have access to support until the end of the pandemic.
Amanda Dubarry, chief executive at Caritas Anchor House, one of the charities joining the day of action, said rough sleeping couldn’t be tackled without help for people with no recourse to public funds.
She said: “We cannot end rough sleeping without having a solution which enables people with no recourse to public funds to access housing. It’s vital that rough sleepers do not return to the streets during a global pandemic.
“Access to housing should be a basic human right and if we want to live in a civilised and a humane society this must become our shared vision.”
Alistair Cromwell, acting chief executive of Citizens Advice, added: “Many people with NRPF have been hit hard by the economic consequences of coronavirus. Despite working in sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, most people subject to these rules still have had no access to the benefits safety net.
“Despite measures put in place to support people affected by NRPF, we’re continuing to see significant increases in the numbers seeking our help. No one should be left without access to support and no one should face the prospect of losing their leave to remain in this country as a result.”
A Government spokesperson said: “The government has acted decisively to ensure that everyone is supported through this crisis, including those who have no recourse to public funds.
“We have introduced a range of measures to ensure people can stay safe and many of these are available for those with a no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition.
“The Government has provided councils with £6.4 billion to support their communities through this pandemic, which includes their work to support rough sleepers. Those seeking to establish their family life in the UK must do so on a basis that prevents burdens on the taxpayer and promotes integration.”
