Written by: Oscar Revolledo
The UK is home to thousands of migrants who contribute significantly to its economy and society, working in vital sectors like healthcare, construction, and hospitality. However, proposed restrictions on migrants’ access to benefits and public services could profoundly impact their lives, creating hardships that ripple through families, communities, and workplaces.
While the policy suggests prioritising public resources for citizens, its implications for migrants—who often work in essential but low-paid jobs—deserve close scrutiny. By examining the current challenges migrants face and the potential effects of further restrictions, we can better understand the human cost of these proposals.
A Vulnerable Workforce
Migrants in the UK already navigate a complex landscape of restricted access to public services. Many live under the “No Recourse to Public Funds” (NRPF) rule, which prevents them from claiming certain benefits such as housing support or Universal Credit. This policy, affecting around 1.4 million people, disproportionately impacts families and individuals in low-wage sectors, according to research by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford.
The challenges of NRPF were starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many migrant workers, particularly in frontline roles, found themselves excluded from financial safety nets despite their critical contributions. For example, a report by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) revealed that a migrant nurse working in the NHS was denied housing support after her income dropped due to illness, leaving her at risk of homelessness.
Restricted Access: A Barrier to Stability
For migrants, access to public services like healthcare, housing, and education often determines their ability to build stable lives in the UK. Without this support, everyday challenges can quickly spiral into crises.
Take healthcare, for instance. Migrants with limited access to healthcare may delay seeking treatment, leading to worsened health outcomes and greater long-term costs. According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), barriers to healthcare disproportionately affect pregnant women and children, putting their health and futures at risk.
Housing is another critical area. Migrants excluded from housing benefits are more likely to experience overcrowding or homelessness, as shown in a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Without stable housing, maintaining employment and accessing education become far more difficult, compounding the cycle of disadvantage.
Impact on Families and Children
Restricted access to services doesn’t just affect individual migrants—it has far-reaching consequences for families. Migrant children, in particular, are among the most vulnerable.
Research from the Children’s Society found that children in families subject to NRPF are significantly more likely to live in poverty. In one case, a mother working as a cleaner was unable to afford food or school supplies for her children because she didn’t qualify for child benefits or free school meals. These conditions can affect children’s education, mental health, and long-term prospects, creating barriers that are difficult to overcome.
The Contribution-Exclusion Paradox
One of the most striking aspects of these restrictions is the paradox faced by migrants: while many work in essential roles that keep the country running, they are excluded from the very public services they help fund through taxes.
For example, migrants make up 29% of the workforce in health and social care and 20% in construction, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These sectors are crucial to the UK’s infrastructure and well-being, yet many of the workers who sustain them face barriers to the support they need to thrive.
A study by the University of Oxford found that migrants contribute more in taxes than they receive in benefits, challenging the perception that they are a burden on public resources. Restricting access to services, therefore, not only raises ethical questions but also undermines the economic contributions migrants make.
Mental Health and Well-Being
The emotional toll of restricted access to support systems cannot be ignored. Migrants living with uncertainty and exclusion often experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The Migration Observatory has reported that financial insecurity and limited access to healthcare contribute significantly to poor mental health outcomes among migrant communities.
For many, the fear of losing work or facing unexpected medical bills creates a constant undercurrent of anxiety. This emotional strain can have a cascading effect, impacting their ability to perform in the workplace, engage with their communities, and plan for the future.
What Needs to Change
To mitigate the impact of restricted access, several measures can be considered:
Expand Access to Essential Services
Allowing migrants access to critical services like healthcare and housing would improve their quality of life and enable them to contribute more effectively to society.
Create Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups
Families with children, pregnant women, and low-income workers should be prioritised for support, ensuring they can meet basic needs and access opportunities for upward mobility.
Raise Awareness of Migrants’ Contributions
Public campaigns highlighting the essential roles migrants play in sectors like healthcare, construction, and hospitality can help shift perceptions and foster greater understanding and empathy.
Provide Pathways to Stability
Offering pathways to permanent residency or citizenship for long-term contributors would reduce uncertainty and allow migrants to fully participate in society without fear of exclusion.
Restricting migrants’ access to benefits and public services risks creating a two-tier society where those who contribute significantly are denied the support they need to build stable lives. The evidence is clear: migrants are not a drain on public resources but vital contributors to the UK’s economy and communities.
The human cost of exclusion—from housing insecurity to poor mental health—affects not only migrants but also the broader society that relies on their work and contributions. Policymakers must recognise that supporting migrants is not just about fairness; it is about building a society where everyone can thrive.
In addressing the challenges migrants face, the UK has an opportunity to affirm its values of inclusivity and compassion. By providing access to essential services and recognising the contributions of migrants, the nation can ensure that its future is built on a foundation of fairness and shared prosperity.