20,000 migrant families lose out on government help for childcare

A human rights charity have criticised the government's new childcare support scheme, claiming it excludes at least 20,000 migrant families. The new scheme aims to expand childcare support by the end of next year, with up to 30 hours of free childcare offered to working families.

Migrants across the UK and Birmingham lose out thanks to the fine print in their visas however. The 'No Recourse to Public Funds' (NRPF) condition on visas bars access to public funds such as benefits or homelessness assistance.

Praxis, a refugee and migrants charity, claim migrant parents cannot access the free childcare support despite working the required hours. As of April, 15 hours of childcare support are available for working parents of two-year-olds.

Read more: Birmingham school fire live as fire crews tackle blaze in Balsall Heath

POLL: Should parents be able to take their children on holiday in term time, without being fined?

According to gov.uk, by September this will extend to working parents of children from 9 months to 3-year-olds. By September 2025, eligible working parents with a child between 9 months to school age, will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.

Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz, Praxis Policy and Public Affairs Manager, said: "Migrant families have been enriching Birmingham's communities for decades, yet far too many of them are prevented from accessing vital public services because of the small print on their visas, including support with childcare costs.

"This month the government has made a big fanfare of it's new scheme, purportedly supporting more working families with sky-high childcare costs. Yet the sad reality is that thousands of families all over the UK, including in Birmingham, can't access this vital support, even when they work, pay taxes and meet other criteria set out by the government to access this scheme.

"What we really need is a childcare system that works for everyone, that's why today we're asking for universal access to childcare provisions. We want everyone to be able to benefit from this vital support, no matter the small print on their visas."

According to ONS 2021 census data around 13% of Birmingham population holds a non-UK passport. Praxis claim the scheme exclusion leaves migrant families with no choice but to spend thousands on childcare costs or stop working.

The latter risking poverty, this has a domino effect on children's education in their early years, with children often starting school well behind their classmates and never catching up. Children with special needs consequently struggle as well.

Joy, a woman living outside of Birmingham, is the mother of a two-year-old-girl who was forced to flee an abusive relationship. Despite working the hours required by the government, Praxis claim she doesn't qualify for the 15 hours now available to most two-year olds because her leave to remain comes with an NRPF.

After fleeing her partner she had to stop working due to expensive childcare costs and had nowhere to leave her daughter while she was at work. The mother was forced to borrow money to keep her daughter in nursery for a while before having to stop.

Anna Berry, a campaigner and member of the NRPF Action Group, said: "Imagine wanting to work to pursue your dreams, but being held back by the crushing weight of childcare costs. If we can't work, that leads to poverty and if children don't have enough to eat, how can that be fair?

"Access to childcare isn't just about parents, it's about the future of our children. Without proper support from an early age children fall behind in their education, which can have long-term consequences, sometimes they will never catch up.

"We want our children to be free, free to be equal, free to access education."

Migrant parent advocates plan to protest near Westminster on April 24, with over 16,600 people having signed a petition demanding childcare for all.

Follow our coverage on migrants and refugees issues here

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp