Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill — New Clause 13 — Recourse to Public Funds — Ending of Freedom of Movement — 30 Jun 2020 at 18:00

The majority of MPs voted to allow an immigration condition of no recourse to public funds to be applied to those who lose rights due to the removal of the general right for nationals of European Union member states, European Economic Area states and Switzerland to enter and reside in the UK.

MPs were considering the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill.^[1]

The proposed new clause rejected in this vote was titled: Exemption from no recourse to public funds and stated:

• ‘(1) This section applies during the current Covid-19 pandemic, as defined by the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020.
• (2) Section 3(1)(c)(i) and (ii) of the Immigration Act 1971 cannot be applied to persons who have lost rights because of section (1) and Schedule 1 of this Act.
• (3) This section could not be disapplied unless a resolution was passed by each House of Parliament.’

An explanatory statement by the proposer of the rejected clause stated:

• This new clause would delay application of No Recourse to Public Funds rules during the current pandemic and until such time as Parliament decides.

Clause 1 and Schedule 1 of the Bill provides an end to the general right for nationals of European Union member states, European Economic Area states and Switzerland to enter and reside in the UK while retaining such rights for Irish citizens.^[2]

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, Parliament.uk
• [2] Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill — Second Reading — 18 May 2020 at 21:25, PublicWhip.org

Debate in Parliament |