APPG MigrationJoint report finds proposed immigration reforms risk deepening poverty and inequality and undermining the Government’s ambitions to reduce child poverty, end homelessness and strengthen social cohesion, whilst not delivering the promised savings to the public purse.
The All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Poverty and Inequality and on Migration conducted a joint inquiry into the likely impact of the Government’s proposed reforms to refugee, asylum and settlement policy—including the proposed Earned Settlement framework—on poverty and inequality in the UK. The report also questions the evidential basis for the Home Office’s claim that the proposed Earned Settlement reforms will deliver £10 billion in fiscal savings, calling on the Government to publish the full analysis underpinning this estimate before implementing the reforms.
The inquiry builds on a 2024 joint report by the same groups, which found that migrants face disproportionately high levels of poverty and deprivation, and raised concerns that some immigration policies may be deliberately driving these outcomes — effectively creating destitution by design. But Parliamentarians found little evidence that such measures are effective in reducing migration, while warning that they can leave individuals and families unable to meet basic needs, access secure housing, or support themselves through work.
Since that report was published, there has been a change of government and a raft of new policy announcements. Key changes to immigration policy have included significant changes to the length of time that refugees and migrants must wait before getting permanent settlement to applying for citizenship (in reality placing many people on a 15 – 20 year route), introducing an earned settlement model linked to economic and social contribution, and increasing English language requirements across a wider range of immigration routes. Refugees will now only be offered temporary protection, and next week MPs will debate the new Immigration and Asylum Bill that would require recognised refugees to repay up to £10,000 to cover the cost of their asylum accommodation.
The inquiry — which received evidence from 41 organisations and heard oral testimony from local authorities, think tanks, NGOs, and migrants directly affected by the changes — found that these reforms risk pushing vulnerable families deeper into poverty, and are already doing so before many of the changes have been formally enacted. It found that some parents are forgoing benefits they are legally entitled to rather than risk a penalty that would result in a longer wait for settlement under the proposals under consultation, with more than half saying their children would lose access to basics including food, heating and clothing as a result.
One respondent to the inquiry said “My child is being made to live in uncertainty for 20 years because our family needed help to survive. This policy is harming their education, mental health, and confidence. Children should not be punished for poverty or for decisions they did not make.”
The cross-party inquiry concludes that extending routes to settlement, expanding No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) conditions, reducing refugee protection from five years to thirty months, and replacing existing asylum support with more restrictive arrangements are likely to deepen poverty and inequality rather than reduce them
The cross-party group of parliamentarians have urged ministers to pursue an immigration system that is fair, effective and rooted in evidence and to move away from policies which are aimed at creating a deterrence through deprivation. It makes a series of recommendations including:
- Removing the retrospective application of proposed earned settlement reforms to individuals already on an existing route to settlement;
- Reconsidering the proposed extension of the standard route to settlement, in line with the 2024 recommendation that no route to settlement should exceed five years; and
- Publishing the full evidence base underpinning the Government’s projected £10 billion in fiscal savings, so that this estimate can be properly scrutinised before further reforms are pursued;
Quotes
Co-Chair of the APPG on Poverty and Officer of the APPG on Migration, Baroness Ruth Lister, said:
“This report demonstrates the myriad ways in which the asylum and migration reforms in the process of being introduced will undermine the government’s child poverty, homelessness and social integration strategies. We call on the government to pause these reforms to allow the new leadership time to consider their implications for these strategies which are crucial to building a fairer society.”
Member of the APPG on Migration, Tony Vaughan KC MP, said
“Harsh rhetoric and narrative cannot be confused for effective action. We absolutely need structural change in our asylum and immigration system, so that it can be more managed, controlled, strategic, fair and compassionate.
We also need to know what the real financial and economic impact of the settlement and asylum proposals are before we scrutinise this.
We cannot afford to introduce policy that worsens skills shortages and damages our agenda to deliver good growth in every postcode.”
Officer of the APPG on Migration, Tim Farron MP said:
“Policies that push people into poverty are increasing pressure on charities and local services. Rather than penalising the most vulnerable, we should be helping new arrivals to rebuild their lives, to find work and contribute to their communities.”
Co-Chair of the APPG on Migration Olivia Blake MP said:
“This report is a timely reminder that immigration policy cannot be considered in isolation from its impact on poverty, homelessness and children’s life chances. We all want an immigration system that works, but reforms must not leave families in deeper hardship or undermine the Government’s wider ambitions to reduce child poverty and strengthen social cohesion. I hope ministers will carefully consider these evidence-based recommendations and ensure that compassion and fairness remain at the heart of our immigration system.”
Co-Chair of the APPG on Poverty Neil Duncan Jordan MP, said:
“Many workers have come to the UK and are making a contribution to our economy – not just through their work and by paying taxes, but also by being active in their local communities and enriching our society. It’s frankly callous and cruel to change the rules for these people halfway through. It’s un-British, and the new government needs to think again.”
UNISON have engaged with members of the APPGs on these issues and will be speaking at the report launch. UNISON’s head of social care Gavin Edwards said: “Migrant care staff do a skilled job keeping vital public services running. Yet their ‘reward’ is an unfair visa rule change that could force many into hardship. Ministers must stick to the deal promised of working in the UK for five years to qualify for earned settlement.”
