Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether child benefit will be included in the proposals regarding public funds in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, and Restoring Order and Control, published on 20 November.

Child Benefit is listed as a public fund in Section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and paragraph 6 of the Immigration rules.

The Fairer Pathway to Settlement consultation on earned settlement seeks views on whether the qualifying period for settlement should be increased by five or ten years if the applicant has claimed public funds and whether the law should be changed so that it would be possible to make settlement subject to a “no recourse to public funds” condition.

The consultation is open to anyone who wishes to share their views, including individuals, organisations, and other stakeholders who may be affected by or have an interest in the proposed changes.

As set out in the Restoring Order and Control statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, published on 21 November 2025, access to taxpayer funded benefits will be prioritised for those making an economic contribution. A consultation is planned for this year.