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07
Jul 2020
Harrogate MP votes against financial support for migrant abuse victims
Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones voted against offering financial support for migrant victims of domestic abuse.
Non-EU nationals with limited leave to enter or remain currently have “no recourse to public funds”, meaning they are not entitled to any financial support such as housing benefit, child benefit, tax credits or Universal Credit.
Charities say the condition is forcing some survivors to return to their abusive partners.
An amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill yesterday intended to change this to give migrant survivors of domestic abuse a safety net if they are escaping from their abuser or trying to start a new life.
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The rule was introduced in 2012 and critics say it forms a key part of the government’s so-called “hostile environment” for migrants coming to the UK.
Last night's vote in the House of Commons was met with dismay from local and national charities.
Carmel Ossard, spokesperson for the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) which runs a women's refuge in Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret they had written to Andrew Jones asking him not to support the amendment.
She said:
The Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants also spoke out against the vote.
It said:
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones to explain why he voted against the amendment but he has not responded at the time of publication.
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