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 is a
critical issue 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 refused payment altogether for the
work done ending up 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 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 poverty contributes to mental
health challenges.
Interventions 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 organizations such as IMMNET that provide
or arrange food aid, legal assistance, and language support to migrant
families.
Increase funding for food banks and 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 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 improved
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 countrys social and economic well-being.
IMMNET connects immigrant parents with NRTW to helpful resources if their children
are facing poverty and malnourishment.