Boris Johnson’s pledge to explore extra help for thousands of people left destitute by ultra-strict benefit rules has been dumped after just one week.
The prime minister had agreed to look again at the ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) rule – barring many migrants from making claims, even during the coronavirus pandemic – even as he appeared not to know about it.
But, asked to provide more detail, Mr Johnson switched tack, arguing the condition did not mean the people affected were “excluded from all public funds”.
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“They may be eligible for coronavirus job retention scheme funds or self-employed income support scheme funds,” he told MPs.
“Indeed, if they have paid into the benefit system, they may be eligible also for certain benefits.”
Later, the prime minister’s spokesman, asked if the comments meant it was “case closed” – with no review to follow – indicated they did, adding: “That is his answer, as far as I know.”
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said Mr Johnson’s latest comments suggested he still did not understand the implications of the harsh policy.
Anyone who did “manage to jump through the hoops” and use the support he mentioned – by proving “actual destitution” – were then forced to wait a further 10 years to win permanent settlement, it said.
And Paul Blomfield, the Labour MP who put Mr Johnson on the spot, told The Independent: “Unfortunately, he still doesn’t seem to grasp the issue. He must keep his promise to review no recourse to public funds.”
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