04 Sep

Posted 04.09.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights

Thousands of children in the UK have already benefited from the temporary extension of FSM to families with NRPF following our earlier legal action, but the government had refused to make this change permanent. In this latest challenge we alleged that the eligibility criteria for...

21 Aug

Posted 21.08.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights

The Healthy Start Scheme aims to reduce child poverty and health inequalities by providing vitamins, nutritional advice and weekly vouchers for nutritional food or infant formula to low income families with pregnant women and children up to the age of 4. It is intended to...

17 Aug

Posted 17.08.2020 | Civil Claims Against Public Authorities, Discrimination and Equality, Judicial Review, Uncategorized

For many students, Thursday’s A – Levels results would have been a disappointment. Nearly 40% of all grades across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland were downgraded by one to two grades. Pupils at maintained and academy schools appear to have been disproportionately affected, with  independent...

12 Aug

Posted 12.08.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights, Uncategorized

MG&Co has been instructed in a challenge to the Free School Meals eligibility criteria which means children in very low income families whose parents cannot claim welfare benefits because of their immigration status are not entitled to FSM. Our judicial review pre-action letter argues that the...

10 Aug

Posted 10.08.2020 | Civil Claims Against Public Authorities, Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights

A leading anti-racist advocacy and campaigning charity, The Monitoring Group, will challenge Boris Johnson’ decision to appoint Dr Tony Sewell as Chair of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities (CRED). The group has instructed senior solicitor Chez Cotton of civil rights firm Matthew Gold...

15 Jul

Posted 15.07.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights

On 10 July, following another threat of judicial review, the Government confirmed that the maximum earnings threshold for free school meals for children from families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) would be increased from £16,190 per year to £31,500 to families within London...

30 Jun

Posted 30.06.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights

On 28 May 2020, following our threat of judicial review, the Government confirmed that the maximum earnings threshold for free school meals for children from families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) would be increased from £7,400 to £16,190 per year. For more information...

28 May

Posted 28.05.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights

Following our previous threat of judicial review last month (read here), the Government agreed to extend Free School Meals to certain families with no recourse to public funds, including those who are permitted to work. However, the Government applied an earnings threshold for eligibility which...

21 May

Posted 21.05.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights, Uncategorized

MG&Co has issued proceedings challenging our client’s exclusion from the early years nursery scheme. In 2014 the government announced funding for a ‘fairness premium’ which entitled all disadvantaged 2-year-olds to 15 hours per week of free pre-school education. The scheme aimed  to narrow the gap in...

14 May

Posted 14.05.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights, Uncategorized

Matthew Gold and Company solicitors has launched a legal challenge against the continued exclusion of many children from low-income families, including the children of key workers, from the Free School Meals scheme. Following a previous threat of judicial review (read here), the Government extended Free School...

07 May

Posted 07.05.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights

On 7 May 2020 the judgment in the OA v London Borough of Bexley case was handed down. Although the claim for judicial review was dismissed, the Judge made a number of useful comments relating to the exercise of local authorities powers under section 17(3)...

06 May

Posted 06.05.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review

Almost a month after schools closed their doors, the government announced a ‘major package to support online learning’ by providing laptops and internet access to disadvantaged children. Despite the claim that this support will “enable all children to continue learning now”, in fact only care-leavers,...