Charities Lobbied Government on Immigration While Receiving £1 Billion in Public Funds
Organisations Responded to Consultation on New Rules, Despite Government Assurances Against Lobbying with Taxpayer Money
Carla Rooney
Dozens of charitable organisations that lobbied politicians on immigration rule changes also submitted responses to the official consultation.
This adjustment means skilled worker visa holders earning below £50,000, outside the social care sector, will now wait a decade for settlement. The Home Office had previously warned that reducing the ILR wait for care workers could cost £10 billion.
Thirty-eight organizations collectively received £1 billion in public money during their most recent financial year. A Government spokesperson stated that strict rules prevent taxpayer money from funding lobbying or political activity when grant funding goes to charities.
Retain the five-year (ILR) pathway in place for social care workers.
The Home Office's own consultation analysis revealed that 66 percent of third-sector responses argued against penalizing illegal arrivals when they apply for permanent settlement in Britain. Mencap urged MPs to "retain the five-year (ILR) pathway in place for social care workers."
Barnardo's informed lawmakers it "does not support the principles of earned settlement... as a basis for determining whether children can live safely and securely in the UK." Praxis rejected the concept of earned settlement "entirely" and published guidance suggesting illegal arrivals should not face penalties when seeking permanent residency.
Praxis also helped bring over 500 people to Parliament in March to lobby roughly 100 MPs against the proposals. Migrant families with "no recourse to public funds" are generally ineligible for child benefit or universal credit, even when working and paying tax.
Skilled worker visas typically link to a specific job and employer. City Hall estimates suggest between 526,000 and 627,000 non-UK passport holders in London could meet ILR conditions.
The Home Secretary reportedly yielded to pressure from left-wing Cabinet ministers, Labour MPs, and some charitable organizations. These charities, which lobbied Shabana Mahmood to dilute her immigration reforms, received more than £1 billion in taxpayer-funded contracts and grants.