British nationals fleeing major international crises will now be able to access homelessness support and apply for social housing and benefits faster, thanks to new emergency legislation laid today (Thursday 17th July).  

In response to recent crises, including in the Middle East, the Foreign Office assisted British nationals and their family members to return to the UK, with those who needed it receiving emergency short-term support, such as short-stay accommodation, food bags and medical care. 

To ensure no returning family is left without help once this emergency support ends, the government has now fast-tracked new emergency rules to exempt all British nationals and eligible family members escaping international crisis from the Habitual Residence Test (HRT), and the Past Presence Test (PPT). This also will apply for all future crises where the government has advised British nationals to leave or arranged evacuation of British nationals from the country or territory.  

Currently, British nationals returning home to the UK from a crisis have to wait up to 3 months before becoming eligible for housing or homelessness assistance, or up to two years for some government benefits. This gap in support can leave local councils with very limited tools to offer support to vulnerable people.  

The new rules will mean fleeing British families can acquire homelessness support, apply for social housing, and access benefits that they’re otherwise entitled to straight away. This will help them rebuild their lives more quickly, alongside easing pressure on councils by enabling early, preventative support, and avoiding more complex emergency responses.  

This exemption applies following the government advising British nationals to leave a country or territory or beginning evacuations. It will also cover people who are not subject to immigration control, if they already have the right to public funds, and don’t have a sponsor responsible for their accommodation. The new measures are expected to come into force shortly.  

Further information:

The emergency exemptions from the Habitual Residence Test (HRT) and the Past Presence Test (PPT) apply in situations where the government has either:

• Provided public information to advise British nationals to leave a specific country or territory and/or
• Arranged the evacuation of British nationals from that country or territory.  
• The exemption will apply for 6 months, from the date the government first advised departure or the first day of an evacuation operation.