RAMP Associates Speak at Lords Debate on the Impact of Home Office Proposals on Children

RAMP Associates Baroness Lister and Lord Rees both spoke at a Lord’s Chamber debate on the impact of proposed Home Office policies to reform the asylum and settlement systems on children following a question from Baroness Lister.

Baroness Lister asked whether the Government conducted a child rights impact assessment on the Home Secretary’s November 2025 asylum and settlement proposals.

The proposed asylum reforms would make refugee status temporary, subject to review every 30 months, and extend the route to permanent settlement to 20 years. They would also introduce a new work-and-study pathway, remove automatic family reunion rights, and end the duty to provide support to destitute asylum seekers.

Separately, the settlement proposals would replace automatic settlement/ Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with an “Earned Settlement” model. Under this model , the qualifying period would double to 10 years, with applicants required to demonstrate higher English language proficiency, a clean criminal record, and sustained economic contribution.

Baroness Lister emphasised that child rights impact assessments should be integrated into policymaking from the outset, in line with UN guidance and highlighted concerns from organisations about the potential effects of the proposals on children’s wellbeing, security, and poverty. She also requested a review of the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy in the context of the of the Government’s child poverty strategy.

In response, the Lord’s Home Office Minister, Lord Hanson of Flint, said child impact assessments will be carried out during asylum and immigration policy reforms, guided by Section 55 duties under the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, with proposals currently under consultation.  

Lord Rees (Lab) raised concerns about the impact of the proposals on local authorities. He asked what safeguards will be introduced to prevent child destitution following the withdrawal of support from families with failed asylum applications., highlighting the potential pressure on local authorities, faith groups and community organisations as they provide support at the local level.

In response, Lord Hanson stated that as part of the Earned Settlement consultation, the Government is considering how to manage failed asylum cases while meeting obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He also acknowledged the role of faith groups and said the Government is considering how to provide support during the process while keeping children’s rights central.