Revealed: Charities that called for Mahmood's immigration U-turn received more than £1billion in taxpayers' cash
By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE
Published: | Updated:
Charities that lobbied the Home Office to water down tougher immigration rules received more than £1billion in taxpayer cash, it can be revealed.
The sector faces criticism for using public money to push an anti-borders agenda after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's U-turn on those who can gain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Research has found that 38 of the charities that lobbied politicians and responded to the consultation received an eye-watering £1billion in taxpayer-funded contracts and grants in their last financial year.
The biggest earner on the list was Mencap, a learning disabilities charity, which took more than £200million in contracts and grants in 2024-25, and told MPs that ministers should 'retain the five-year [ILR] pathway in place for social care workers'.
Children's charity Barnardo's, which took £192million in contracts and grants in the same period, told peers it 'does not support the principles of earned settlement... as a basis for determining whether children can live safely and securely in the UK'.
Migrant and refugee charity Praxis received nearly £1million in contracts and grants in the year ending March 2025, and argued it rejected the concept of earned settlement 'entirely'.
It also provided a guide for the public, saying illegal arrivals should face no penalty when applying for settlement.
Alongside other charities, Praxis also brought more than 500 people to Parliament in March to lobby around 100 MPs against the proposals.
Charities that called for Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms to be watered down received more than £1billion in taxpayer cash
The Home Office's analysis of its consultation, published on Monday alongside Ms Mahmood's announcement, revealed that 66 per cent of the 560 'third sector' – ie, charities – responses said illegal arrivals should face no penalty before settling for good in Britain.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the Daily Mail: 'It takes some brass neck to take millions from British taxpayers and then spend it campaigning against Britain controlling its borders.
'These charities seem to think the public purse is there to bankroll their political agenda, whatever the public wants.'
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, added: 'While charities have an important role to play in community services, Britons don't expect their taxes to be funding organisations who are pushing political agendas.'
A Government spokesman said: 'The law is clear that charities must exist only to further their charitable purposes. When government provides grant funding to charities, there are strict rules preventing taxpayer money from being used on lobbying or political activity.'
A Barnardo's spokesman said part of its role 'is to speak out on behalf of the children we work with across the UK, sharing insight into their experiences, and always based on evidence from our hundreds of services across the country'.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive at Mencap, said amid a significant workforce crisis, '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'.
Praxis was approached for comment.
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