IMMNET Junior

In November 2024, IMMNET carried out a survey on poverty and malnourishment
amongst children of parents who have either their immigration cases pending with no
right to work (NRTW), or they are undocumented. IMMNET survey found that three
in five children will not receive any gift on Christmas or New Year as their parents
simply cannot afford to do so directly due to financial constraints. Malnourishment
amongst these children is another concerning issue, as due to financial constraints,
parents and children have no access to a healthy and nourishing diet. Poverty and
malnourishment among migrant children in the United Kingdom are critical issues
with far-reaching consequences for health, development, and social inclusion.
Below is an overview of the factors contributing to this issue, its manifestations, and
possible interventions.
Contributing Factors:
1.Economic Challenges: Migrants with no right to work are forced to work illegally to
put food on their table. They face economic exploitation as being paid generally 60%
less than the legal hourly wage, or being refused payment altogether for the work
done, ending up as victims of modern slavery. Employment insecurity and lower
wages contribute to child poverty and malnourishment in these households.
2.Legal and Policy Constraints: Many migrants, particularly asylum seekers or
undocumented individuals, have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) status, limiting
their access to welfare benefits, housing support, and other critical resources.
Bureaucratic delays in processing immigration applications exacerbate financial
instability.
3.Housing and Living Conditions: Migrant families are disproportionately represented
in overcrowded or substandard housing, which may lack proper cooking facilities or
storage for fresh food. High rents often leave families with insufficient income for
nutritious food.
4.Cultural and Systemic Barriers: Limited awareness or cultural stigma surrounding
social services and food aid programs prevents some families from seeking
assistance. Language barriers can make it difficult to navigate support systems or
access healthcare and education. Some undocumented migrants avoid taking their
children to the hospital for fear of ending up with huge NHS bills.
Manifestations of Poverty and Malnourishment:
1.Health Impacts: Malnourishment can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune
systems, and chronic illnesses in children of undocumented migrants or migrants
with no right to work. Poor nutrition is associated with developmental delays and
cognitive impairments in children of undocumented migrants or migrants with no right
to work.
2.Educational Challenges: Hunger affects concentration and academic performance,
leading to long-term educational disadvantages. Children of undocumented migrants
or migrants with no right to work may face additional barriers, such as discrimination
or a lack of adequate support in schools.
3.Social Exclusion: Poverty and poor health isolate children, limiting participation in
extracurricular activities and broader community engagement. Psychological stress
from food insecurity and contributes to mental health challenges.
Intervention and Solutions:
1.Policy Changes: Expand access to public funds. Remove or relax the NRPF
condition for migrant families, allowing them access to essential welfare benefits.
Targeted Support Programs: Implement specific programs to assist migrant children,
such as free school meals and housing subsidies.
2.Community and NGO Initiatives: Strengthen partnerships with organisations that
provide or arrange food aid, legal assistance, and language support for migrant
families. Increase funding for food banks or school-based feeding programs to reach
affected children.
3.Awareness and Education: Promote awareness of available resources through
multilingual outreach efforts. Train social workers, teachers, and healthcare
professionals to better identify and assist vulnerable migrant children.
4.Advocacy and Research: Encourage research to better understand the scale and
nature of the issue, informing policy and funding priorities. Advocate for inclusive
policies at the local and national levels, ensuring migrant families are not left behind.
Conclusion:
Addressing poverty and malnourishment among migrant children in the UK requires
a multifaceted approach involving policy reform, community action, and improving
access to resources. Ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have
access to nutritious food, stable housing, and quality education is not only a moral
imperative but also essential for the country’s social and economic well-being.
Immnet connects immigrant parents with NRTW to helpful resources if their children
are facing poverty and malnutrition.