COMPAS - Understanding Migrant Destitution in the UK - Literature Review

7 Conclusion The rapidly changing socio-political landscape in recent years has led to the rising numbers of people impacted by the NRPF policy, with Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cost of Living Crisis as well as the Nationality & Borders Act 2022² and the forthcoming Illegal Migration Bill³ acting as major drivers shifting the cohorts at risk of destitution and shaping the available response. [...] Despite calls from the third sector, local government and cross-party parliamentarians to review the NRPF policy for vulnerable people and families, the Government does not appear to intend to reform the policy, though has committed to reviewing guidance to local authorities and providing data. [...] Changes in the policy landscape in recent years Since the publication of the 2015 report, seismic changes in recent years in both the policy landscape and external shocks have led to a shift in local government and devolved administrations’ approaches to NRPF as well as in the population impacted by NRPF, which is expected to rise. [...] In summary, seismic changes in recent years in both the policy landscape (through Brexit, the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the upcoming Illegal Migration Bill) and external shocks have led to a shift in local government and devolved administrations’ approaches to NRPF as well as in the population impacted by NRPF, which is expected to rise. [...] Almost two thirds (62%) of the respondents to a separate survey about the ten year route to settlement in the UK, who were impacted by the NRPF policy said they struggled to meet the costs of utilities and over half (57%) struggled to cover the costs of food (Mort et al, 2023).