Barry has given an impassioned speech in the recent Westminster Hall debate, where he spoke of the desperate situation of two separate constituents that have contacted him in recent months.
One constituent told Barry of the pain for her and her children watching her previously healthy 45 year old husband die from COVID. Barry’s office urgently contacted the Home Office and appealed to them to provide her with Recourse to Public Funds. Thankfully, it was granted, however, it took the Home Office five weeks to respond and grant her this. A five week wait for a grieving family with a child in destitution is quite frankly unacceptable. The worry is- this was one of the good outcomes.
Barry then spoke of a second constituent who had contacted him in January. He is a single father with a 7 year old daughter and No Recourse to Public Funds. He has been trying to establish his right to remain in the UK. Barry admits that without help of Brent Council, he doesn’t know what would’ve happened to that constituent and his daughter.
Barry challenged the Secretary of State to answer these questions:
How he expects a single parent during this pandemic to pay rent and look after a child with No Recourse to Public Funds.
How the unemployed are going to survive for the 5 weeks wait from the Home Office for a change in condition.
Barry finished his speech by pressing the Secretary of State to commit to determining any application for a change of condition within 48 hours of receiving it. Those at risk of destitution simply cannot wait any longer.
You can see his speech in full below.