Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Charities opposing immigration rule changes received over £1bn in public funding
Thirty-eight charities that opposed proposed UK immigration rule changes received more than £1bn in public contracts and grants, according to research cited in the story.
The charities had lobbied politicians or responded to a Home Office consultation on who should qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which allows people to settle permanently in the UK.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood changed course on the rules, but the details of that change are not set out here.
The Home Office found that 66% of charity responses opposed penalising illegal arrivals before settlement, among 560 responses from charities and other third-sector groups.
Mencap received more than £200m in contracts and grants in 2024-25, while Barnardo's received £192m; both said their positions reflected concerns about the people they support.
The figures have prompted criticism that public money may support political campaigning, while the government says grant rules prevent taxpayer funds from being used for lobbying or political activity.
No further government action is specified.
Thirty-eight charities that opposed or sought changes to immigration rule proposals received more than £1 billion in public contracts and grants in their latest reported financial years.
The charities lobbied politicians or responded to a government consultation on changes to settlement rules.
The Home Office said 66 per cent of 560 responses from charities said illegal arrivals should face no penalty before settling in Britain.
Critics said public money should not support political campaigning, while charities defended speaking up for people they serve.
The government said rules prevent grant funding from being used for lobbying or political activity.
- Who
- Thirty-eight charities, including Mencap, Barnardo’s and Praxis, and critics including Chris Philp and the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
- What
- Charities that opposed or sought changes to immigration rule proposals received more than £1 billion in public funding.
- When
- The article was published on 4 November 2026; the funding figures cover the charities’ latest reported financial years.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- The charities lobbied against or responded to proposals on settlement rules; critics objected to publicly funded organisations campaigning on the issue.
Charities opposing or seeking changes to the proposals
Critics of their campaigning
Public funding
Charities opposing or seeking changes to the proposals
The charities received public contracts and grants to support their work.
Critics of their campaigning
Critics said taxpayers should not fund organisations pushing political agendas.
Immigration settlement
Charities opposing or seeking changes to the proposals
Mencap argued that keeping a five-year route to settlement for social care workers would support stability and continuity of care; Barnardo’s opposed using earned settlement to determine whether children could live safely and securely in the UK.
Critics of their campaigning
Chris Philp criticised charities for campaigning against Britain controlling its borders.
Role of charities
Charities opposing or seeking changes to the proposals
Barnardo’s said it speaks out for children it works with, based on evidence from its services.
Critics of their campaigning
The TaxPayers’ Alliance said people do not expect taxes to fund organisations pushing political agendas.
Praxis and other charities brought more than 500 people to Parliament to lobby around 100 MPs against the proposals.
Mencap received more than £200 million in contracts and grants, and Barnardo’s received £192 million in the same period.
Praxis received nearly £1 million in contracts and grants.
The Daily Mail published its report on the charities’ public funding and immigration lobbying.
- Charities identified
- 38
- Total public funding
- More than £1 billion in contracts and grants
- Home Office consultation
- 560 third-sector responses; 66 per cent said illegal arrivals should face no penalty before settlement
- Mencap funding
- More than £200 million in 2024-25
- Barnardo’s funding
- £192 million in 2024-25
- Praxis lobbying
- More than 500 people brought to Parliament in March to lobby around 100 MPs
What people are saying
It takes some brass neck to take millions from British taxpayers and then spend it campaigning against Britain controlling its borders.
Britons don't expect their taxes to be funding organisations who are pushing political agendas.
When government provides grant funding to charities, there are strict rules preventing taxpayer money from being used on lobbying or political activity.
maintaining a route to settlement helps provide stability for both workers and employers, while protecting the continuity of care that people with a learning disability depend on