Tens of thousands of children in migrant and refugee families across the UK are being denied access to government-funded childcare due to benefit restrictions linked to their parents’ immigration status. Many families are impacted by the “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) policy, which excludes them from accessing 30 hours of free migrant childcare. Consequently, parents are forced to stay at home to look after their young children instead of working, pushing them further into poverty and depriving their children of early years education. This lack of access widens social inequalities, limiting children’s ability to develop essential cognitive and social skills at an early age.
How Many Families Are Affected by NRPF Restrictions?
Approximately four million people in the UK are affected by NRPF restrictions. Among them, around 71,000 families who would otherwise qualify for 30 hours of free migrant childcare—provided they met the income threshold—are barred due to these restrictions. As a result, these families are unable to access the social security system and support mechanisms that could alleviate financial hardship and ensure their children receive the same early education opportunities as their peers.
A key concern is that this policy disproportionately impacts migrant and refugee families, many of whom already face financial instability and social exclusion. Without access to proper childcare support, many parents—especially mothers—are unable to participate in the workforce, reducing their household income and deepening their vulnerability to poverty.
Are Migrant Families Entitled to Any Childcare Support?
Families affected by NRPF can access only a reduced childcare offer: 15 funded hours of care per week for their three- and four-year-olds. Some low-income families may qualify for childcare for their two-year-olds, but they remain excluded from other essential support, including universal credit assistance with migrant childcare costs, tax-free childcare, and extended entitlements available to working parents.
Without financial support for childcare, many migrant families are forced to rely on informal care from relatives and friends, which may not always be a reliable or sustainable solution. The lack of affordable childcare options also leads to difficult decisions, with some parents opting to leave employment altogether in order to care for their children full-time.
What Challenges Are Families Facing Due to These Restrictions?
Shams Sarker, who moved to London from Bangladesh under a skilled migrant work visa, is among the parents struggling with childcare restrictions. His two-year-old daughter, born in the UK, is ineligible for the same government-funded migrant childcare as other children. As a result, he and his wife must alternate staying at home to care for her, reducing their work hours and income. This has led to financial strain, making it difficult to afford other essential expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare.
“We don’t get access to certain things and have to pay extra for healthcare—fine,” said Sarker. “But at least let children have equal rights. I expected the rules to be the same for all children. My baby is growing up, and she’s not getting the same benefit that any other baby born here will have.”
A survey of 159 parents affected by NRPF restrictions found that only 55% used some form of childcare, compared to 72% of the general population. Among those using childcare, 36% relied on unofficial care from relatives and friends, while 41% of those without childcare access stated that the lack of free entitlement prevented them or their partner from securing employment.
The lack of affordable childcare also impacts children’s future educational outcomes. Research suggests that early childhood education plays a crucial role in preparing children for school, improving language skills, and fostering social development. By being excluded from these programs, migrant children face additional barriers that may affect their long-term academic success.
What Are Experts Saying About the Impact on Children and Families?
Experts argue that denying access to migrant childcare forces parents out of work, deepens financial struggles, and prevents children from benefiting from early education.
“Restricting access to childcare forces parents out of work, pushes families deeper into poverty, and holds children back from vital early education,” said one senior research fellow. “Lifting these unfair barriers would not only support working parents but also give every child the best start in life.”
A co-author of the report emphasized the broader consequences, stating: “If the government is serious about ensuring that more children are ready for school, lifting these restrictions on childcare support is a commonsense solution that will benefit some of the most disadvantaged children in our communities.”
Additionally, experts point out that investing in early years education has long-term economic benefits. Studies show that children who attend early years education are more likely to succeed academically, secure stable employment, and contribute positively to society. Thus, failing to provide adequate migrant childcare options may result in greater social and economic costs in the future.
How Are NRPF Restrictions Contributing to Child Poverty?
A separate report found that nearly half of children in families with non-UK-born parents live in poverty, compared to 25% of children in other families. Experts predict that the government’s upcoming child poverty strategy will fail unless it addresses the growing hardship among children with migrant parents. The lack of childcare support means that migrant families are often forced to survive on a single income, further exacerbating their financial difficulties.
Hafsa, a mother of two on a skilled worker visa, highlighted the financial struggles caused by NRPF restrictions. “I can’t even buy clothes for my children. I can’t buy them shoes; I can’t buy them a single toy. In the last ten days of the month, I struggle to buy food for the children,” she said.
Children in low-income families are more likely to experience food insecurity, inadequate housing, and limited access to educational resources. Without intervention, these disadvantages can have lasting consequences on children’s physical and mental well-being, limiting their future opportunities for success.
What Is the Government’s Response?
A spokesperson from the Department for Education stated: “Giving every child the best start in life is central to our mission to break the unfair link between background and success, and through our Plan for Change, we’ll get tens of thousands more children— a record proportion—school-ready by age five.”
The government has allocated £15 million to expand school-based nurseries to meet local needs. Additionally, it emphasized that parents with no recourse to public funds can access 15 hours of funded childcare per week from when their child turns two, subject to eligibility.
However, critics argue that this limited provision is not enough to address the needs of migrant families. Many advocate for the expansion of migrant childcare entitlements to include the full 30 hours, ensuring equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Without policy changes, many migrant families will continue to struggle with the financial and social burdens associated with childcare in the UK.
Despite this, migrant families and experts continue to advocate for policy changes that ensure equal access to migrant childcare support for all children. Providing adequate childcare support is not only a matter of fairness but also an investment in the future, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for generations to come.
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