• THE government cannot afford to ignore the growing chorus of calls from politicians and charities to abolish No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Blocking access to welfare support for those with the wrong immigration status has plunged families into an underclass of our society.

It is particularly galling that this condition has not been lifted during this Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit the most vulnerable and disadvantaged the hardest.

NRPF has tied the hands of local authorities and mutual aid groups seeking to lend a helping hand to those in need during lockdown.

So, it was astounding to see the prime minister recently admit to not knowing anything about NRPF.

His government must now get to grips with the bleak reality that hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are children, are facing NRPF.

It’s vital they are given the state support they desperately need in these difficult times.

MURAD QURESHI AM
Labour Londonwide
Assembly Member