BORIS Johnson has been accused of displaying “jaw-dropping” ignorance of immigration rules, after making a surprise commitment to review the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy for migrants and their families.
It came after an exchange during yesterday’s Public Liaison Committee meeting in which Labour MP Stephen Timms raised the case of a family-of-four in his constituency who had previously been granted leave to remain (LTR) in the UK.
Both adults work but the husband's employer didn't put him on the job protection scheme so he has no income.
“His wife is still working but their income is less than their household rent,” said Timms. “They have leave to remain in the UK but no recourse to public funds so they can't get any help at all.
“Isn't it wrong, that a hard-working, law-abiding family like that is being forced by the current arrangements into destitution?”
Johnson displayed his ignorance of the subject when he replied: “Why aren’t they eligible for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance or any of the other benefits?”
This prompted an explanation from Timms, who stressed it was a condition of their LTR.
READ MORE: Liaison Committee: Boris Johnson takes jab at Nicola Sturgeon
The PM said Timms had raised a very important point, and added: “I will find out how many there are in that position, and we will see what we can do to help.”
The SNP have repeatedly called for the UK Government to change the NRPF rules so everyone in the UK has the right to access support, which they say is especially vital during a global pandemic.
Their Shadow Immigration Minister, Stuart McDonald, said: “It is absolutely jaw-dropping that after more than 20 years as an elected representative, including Prime Minister, Boris Johnson appears totally unaware of the plight of people who are prohibited from having recourse to public funds by his own Tory government.
“However, I’m pleased he seems as mystified as anyone over why people should be prevented from getting the support they need. He has the perfect opportunity to fix this when the Immigration Bill comes back to Parliament in a couple of weeks, and my SNP colleagues and I will be very happy to help him.”
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