IHRC Legal is looking into challenging a decision made by the Home Office that could see a destitute man who has lived and worked in the UK for the past 35 years forced to leave the country.

The client was referred to IHRC Legal by a charity that is also currently providing him with financial support. He is living on a £35 a week contributory pension but receives no income other than this. Alone with no family, the charity have been supporting him with his housing and living costs. The paltry pension he receives offers no relief for the health issues he is currently dealing with in his old age, it does not pay for his rent and it barely covers the cost of food.

The application to the Home Office has been made by IHRC Legal to allow him to remain in the UK. A request was also put through for the fees for the application to be waived as the client has no means by which to pay them. However the Home Office declined to waive the fees, claiming that the emergency support received from the charity means he cannot be considered destitute. The Home Office are treating charitable handouts as though it is an income.

The decision can only be seen as perverse. There has been a recent rise in the use of food banks and charities as a result of the increasing cuts in welfare leading to a growth in the number of those left destitute. The UK government is abdicating its moral obligation to help those who are destitute by passing the responsibility onto charities with the expectation that those stricken individuals – such as IHRC Legal’s client – will be taken care of. This is another clear example that the David Cameron’s government does not feel it has any responsibility towards those who are destitute.

IHRC Legal is currently looking at challenging the decision.

IHRC Legal offers a bespoke UK Immigration law consultancy service and is regulated by the UK government regulator, Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) at Level 3, which is the highest level possible.

Notes to Editors:

For media enquiries please email nadia@ihrc.org or call 020 8904 4222[Ends]

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Islamic Human Rights Commission

PO Box 598

Wembley

HA9 7XH

United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222

Email: info@ihrc.org

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