Campaign update

So it turns out that making a noise works!

Our Rights Experience Advocacy Change group (REACH) team made up of mums who are experiencing the issues we are speaking up on – has been campaigning to stop children being housed without a kitchen for around a year now….

There are two main types of family this affects:

1. those housed by the home office in hotels that have not cooking or food storge facilities and are pre-catered.

2. those who are housed by the local authority in hotels with no cooking facilities who have to rely on takeaways and pre-packaged food for every meal.

In the past year or so we have had monthly meetings hosted by the Public Health team to tackle issues at home office hotels around food quality, alternative sources of meals, etc. The Public Health Team have done great work on the guidelines for hotel meals, toddler meals in hotels, and have already enforced a change of caterer in one of the hotels in Newham due to failing food hygiene inspections.

We have also met regularly with housing on the issue of families that they have placed in hotels under emergency provision – some for longer than the six week legal limit without kitchens. There we have seen extraordinary change. Last week they reported that:

Newham Council have reduced hotel/B&B placements by 80% on past year.

76 families in hotel/B&B down from 337 beginning of August 2023.

Newham also used HSF funds to support community warm spaces and kitchens, as well as giving some vouchers for families in hotels placed by them at Christmas.

Newham Council have reduced hotel/B&B placements by 80% on past year.

76 families in hotel/B&B down from 337 beginning of August 2023.

Changing the practice of the Home Office will be hard, but we are also part of a task and finish group bringing together other interested parties including Sustain the food charity and other charity partners hosted by the great anti-child poverty group 4 in 10.

We have had public support from the Mayor of Newham and our local MP Stephen Timms. Deputy London Mayors – Tom Copley (Housing) and Joanna McCartney (families and children) have visited and offered support.

Our three goals are:

1. immediate relief locally for families – we are well on the way,
2. no child in hotel for longer than the legal limit of six weeks (and wouldn’t it be amazing if the legal limit also applied to home office accommodation!),
3. no children without ktchens at all.

We are new to this change work, so if you can help – please get in touch.

Join us! Let’s get this done!

Account number	A 10-12 digit number given to your bank account. You can find your account number on your online banking page or on bank statements.
Card Number	A 16-digit number with that is found on the front of your debit/credit card.
Credit Card	A credit card doesn’t spend your money. It spends the bank’s money and you must pay it back. This means you can spend more than is in your account, but you might be charged extra for doing this, especially if you are late paying the bank.
Credit Score	A number that records how likely you are to repay your debts. High credit scores are better as it means financial products such as overdrafts and credit cards cost less.
Debit Card	A debit card is a card that lets you take out money from ATMs and make payments in stores or online from your account.
Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS)	An organisation set up to protect the money you put in bank accounts. If you have a current or basic account, the FSCS will pay you up to £85,000 if your bank goes bankrupt.
National Insurance Number (NI)	The number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded on your account. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system.
Overdraft	An amount of money you can spend even when you have no money in your account. It is like a small loan from your bank. Overdrafts are often not free, so you need to be very aware what the costs are before using one.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)	A PIN is a 4-digit number that is given to you with a debit card. This is used when taking out money from ATMs or when making in-store purchases with your card. Never share your PIN with anyone as it could be used to commit fraud.
Security Code	A 3-4 digit number found on the back of your debit/credit card in the signature section. This number will be required for nearly all online payments. The code provides an extra layer of security to safeguard you from fraud.
Sort Code	A 6-digit number that is used to identify your bank. You can find your sort code on your online banking platform, on bank statements or on your debit card.
Standing Order	When a fixed amount that you choose is paid from your account to another person or organisation. This is different from the direct debit as the amount that is paid is the same each time.

Saves time – you don’t need to remember to pay a bill.	You need to make sure there is enough money in your account when the direct debit or standing order will be taken. If there is not enough money, you could be charged extra by the bank.
You will get money back for any incorrect payments for direct debits only.	You must remember to cancel standing orders when you want to stop paying someone regularly.
You can cancel a direct debit or a standing order at any time through your online banking account or by contacting your bank.	Sometimes you might think you are setting up a direct debit, but it is actually a recurring payment or continuous payment authority (CPA). Be careful if companies ask for the long number on your card instead of your sort code and account number. This will mean they can take money whenever they think they are owed.

Saves Time	Make sure there is enough money in your account when the direct debit or standing order will be taken. If there is not enough money, you could be charged extra by the bank.
You don’t need to remember to pay a bill	You must remember to cancel standing orders when you want to stop paying someone regularly.
You will get money back for any incorrect payments for direct debits only.	Sometimes you might think you are setting up a direct debit, but it is actually a recurring payment or continuous payment authority (CPA). Be careful if companies ask for the long number on your card instead of your sort code and account number. This will mean they can take money whenever they think they are owed.
You can cancel a direct debit or a standing order at any time through your online banking account or by contacting your bank.


Magpie Mums say: “Always use direct debits if you can, so you don’t forget to pay and are charged. If you can’t use direct debits, make sure you put the dates when you’re supposed to make payments in your phone calendar.” “I’m used to it. It’s easy on the phone. I try to avoid going to banks.”

Bank Examples	Forms of Identity Needed
Metro Bank	Asylum seekers can apply for a cash account and/or savings account. This requires an Application Registration Card (ARC), proof of address and confirmation of asylum seekers support allowance or other income.
Lloyds	You can apply for a Classic Current account with a BRP, ARC or a Home Office Immigration Status document. Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for a ‘Classic current account’. This includes an arranged overdraft. Fees are charged if you go into your overdraft.
Nationwide	You can get a ‘FlexBasic account’ (basic bank account) and an ‘Instant Access saver’ (basic savings account). They accept BRP, ARC and Home Office Immigration Status document.
HSBC	You cannot open a bank account if you are from outside the EU. They accept BRP but NOT ARC. They accept BRP but NOT ARC.
Monzo	Refugees can open a current account with a BRP and their UK address. However, Monzo do not accept ARC. You can get your benefits or salary (depending on your employer) paid into your Monzo account 1 day earlier.

Campaign update

So it turns out that making a noise works!

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