Supporting people on the 10-year route to settlement in the North West: A briefing for local authorities

Today we have published a joint briefing with the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). It aims to provide local authorities with practical information, to ensure that all those who call the North West home, including those on the 10-year route to settlement, are supported to thrive in our communities.

Download our briefing here.

Our research found that the punishing 10-year route is holding people back. We know it leads to financial struggle, housing and employment insecurity, and the risk of losing status. Elizabeth*, who has worked in Greater Manchester’s hospitals for the last 7 years while raising her children, described the cycle of hardship on the route:

You live on whatever you earn, you don’t have access to any public funds. So, I had to take my child to childcare full time, and it was so expensive. And still I had to save for my next two and a half years, for my visa fees and lawyer’s fees. For my second application I had to use a credit card for my fees, so you’re in debt, the credit card charging you every day. I was working in the emergency department. You have to put a smile on your face and be the best of you. But you yourself need help. Inside, you are dying slowly.

But we also know that there are ways to mitigate the harms of the 10-year route, and that good, well-informed support is crucial. Our briefing identifies six key areas of support where local authority workers, commissioners, managers and political leaders should address the impact of the 10-year route:

• Restricted eligibility, or No Recourse to Public Funds (NPRF)

• Immigration advice

• Children and families

• Employment

• Housing and homelessness

• Healthcare

We’ve also included practical resources so that local authority workers can learn about:

• How to understand someone’s immigration status

• “Change of conditions” applications to remove the NRPF condition

• Who can and cannot give legal advice

• Applications for leave to remain

• Fee waivers

• Entitlements while waiting for Home Office decisions (called 3c leave)

Our recommendations focus on training to improve understanding, funding, strategic direction, and political advocacy.

Please email rivka@gmiau.org if you have any questions about our briefing.

*Names have been changed