Terrific piece here by my @futuregovforum.bsky.social colleague @emilyagraham.bsky.social as the Home Secretary announces a(nother) tough line on asylum. Emily points out why this is a gamble; and that there are progressive alternatives available... futuregovforum.substack.com/p/the-home-s...

The statement of changes to the immigration rules www.gov.uk/government/p... and the written statement (which goes wider than the rules changes) are now out questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

In the Home Sec's speech at @ippr.org today, she reiterated her aim of shifting away from asylum, and to safe & legal routes. This is a paradigm shift. So what's at stake? substack.com/home/post/p-...

Why the Home Secretary is taking a gamble with her asylum reforms, and what a progressive alternative should look like New blog at @futuregovforum.bsky.social ⬇️

This piece on human impact of the ILR reforms also exposes tension in current debate Viewing settlement primarily as border policy (who's allowed in) overlooks the fact it's really about who's here & allowed to stay, with implications for integration & cohesion www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Our Hack Night is your opportunity to work on progressive campaigns alongside fellow technologists. We'd love to see you there - bring your laptop, and the pizza is on us 💻🍕 📍 Newspeak House, 133 Bethnal Grn Rd, London 🗓️ Mon 9th March, 19:00–22:00 👉 luma.com/wbrblers

Home Secretary's statement on asylum changes now published ⬇️ No details on the work/study route yet - these will be expected in future Immigration Rule changes

Shabana Mahmood says, "“Denmark shows us how to be firm but fair". But what are the right lessons for the UK to draw from Denmark? Ahead of the asylum announcement next week, let's see what the Danish example & evidence shows 🧵

Quick fact check ahead of asylum announcement tomorrow, as press reports Home Secretary is set to "scrap permanent refugee status" & push ahead with 'earned settlement' reforms 🧵 www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Quick fact check ahead of asylum announcement tomorrow, as press reports Home Secretary is set to "scrap permanent refugee status" & push ahead with 'earned settlement' reforms 🧵 www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Shabana Mahmood says, "“Denmark shows us how to be firm but fair". But what are the right lessons for the UK to draw from Denmark? Ahead of the asylum announcement next week, let's see what the Danish example & evidence shows 🧵

It's unsurprising that pathways are being deployed as part of wider cooperation, so bigger question for me is whether these pathways are doing the 'heavy lifting', how they can better target 'migrant demand' & serve humanitarian purposes New report on whether EU's migration policy is working 👇

Interesting analysis by @jamesbowes01.bsky.social on govt's 'earned settlement' proposal, particularly the interaction with visa policy & upcoming changes James is right to point out the risks this creates particularly for those working for exploitative employers 👇

We are recruiting Trustees to join our board and support us in our work to promote the welfare and rights of people in immigration detention! Application deadline: 12th March 2026 You may find more information on our website: detentionaction.org.uk/become-a-tru...

Worth remembering that the settlement changes can all be made in the immigration rules - so not even an automatic debate and no real power for parliamentarians to stop them. Huge changes to people's live, with very little automatic parliamentary scrutiny.

Two-thirds said they felt less welcome in the UK as a result of govt's 'earned settlement' plans, according to @praxisprojects.bsky.social's new research Settlement policy is - or should be - fundamentally about integration, but longer routes undermine this aim www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Read the full analysis here: www.ippr.org/articles/far...

New @ippr.org analysis today finds that around 1.35m already on routes to settlement will face a longer default waiting period before they can apply for permanent residence under Home Office plans. Just over 300,000 are children, mostly dependants of workers.

Good to see Olivia Blake MP quoting this analysis - and she's right that "these proposals will not affect everyone equally" but will hit some much harder The govt has not yet published any assessment of the impact of these proposals, ie economic or equalities www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

New analysis from @ippr.org shows the impact of the government's proposed 'earned settlement' policy on children 300,000+ children will face waits of 10yrs+ to get settled status, increasing risk of child poverty and trapping families in insecurity 👇

Great to join @sundersays.bsky.social & @churchillfship.bsky.social Fellows earlier this week - appreciated the opportunity to take a step back & reflect on the migration debate today, and how we can influence policy and practice. Thanks for having me!

It's weird how after every good thing/gain (even if we don't call it a victory) people circle up to insist we shouldn't celebrate. Celebrating is not how people give up, in my experience; believing we can't win, never win, and have no power is (with a side of joylessness).

📢 We're looking for a Policy Officer to join our team. You’ll lead on specific advocacy priorities and respond to changes in laws, policies, and practices that affect refugees, people seeking asylum, and other displaced groups in Scotland. 👉Interested? Find out more here: scottishrefugeecounc...

Interesting Public Accounts Committee session coming up next Monday with senior officials from the Home Office, MoJ and MHCLG on the NAO report on the state of the asylum system committees.parliament.uk/event/25595/...

New year, new job?

New research by @mixedmigration.org into smuggling is important reading for us in the UK As govt looks to 'break business model' of smugglers, they must look at the evidence & what works 🧵

Public knowledge of irregular migration is "partial, uneven & often distorted" but fascinating to see how attitudes "combine suspicion with pragmatism & show openness to social markers of belonging", eg English language or friends/family in UK V useful insights, esp considering heat of debate now👇

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We are looking for a new COMMUNICATIONS CO-ORDINATOR and a new RESEARCHER If you'd like to join the FGF team as we crank up our work on reforming and rebuilding the state, have a look below and drop us a line www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/vacancies/

Looking forward to the webinar for this next Tues (see below to sign up) This new research from @mixedmigration.org is especially timely for us in the UK, following on from the govt's recent Asylum Statement

🚨 WE'RE HIRING! Come and join the UK's most influential think tank. We are recruiting for an economist to join our international policy team. Find out more here 👇 www.ippr.org/jobs/economi...

An important intervention in recent debate following the (welcome!) news that the govt are lifting two-child limit Headline figures show quick snapshot, not the full picture - I've seen this time & again in my experience of deliberative democracy projects & thought this to be a much-needed reminder

‘This is a transformative victory for children’ labourlist.org/2025/11/scra...

New Home Office stats out today show use of asylum hotels increased 13% compared to June '25 While this is lower than prev. peak in Sept '23, it's clear we have a way to go to end use of hotel for asylum accommodation Here's how we suggest govt exits asylum hotels in next yr (& saves up to £5bn) ⏬

Hot of the press - new report from @futuregovforum.bsky.social on how govt can exit asylum hotels within 1yr while: 💰 saving up to £5bn 📝 cutting the asylum backlog 🫶 investing in communities 🏡 boosting temporary accommodation Might sound too good to be true, but it's not. Read our 3-step plan 👇

👏👏👏 Huge congrats to the @futuregovforum.bsky.social team who were highly commended as 'One to Watch' at the Smart Thinking awards last night

We're looking for someone, with a deep understanding of health and social care policy, to lead act as our Head of Responsive Policy and Public Affairs for a year's maternity cover. Sound like it might be suitable for you? Find out more and how to apply: https://bit.ly/47ETat2

🚨 One day left to apply Could you be our Office Manager (mat cover)? We’re looking for an organised, proactive and friendly person to oversee our smooth running. 🗓️ Deadline: 13 Nov, 11:55PM www.refugeewomen.co.uk/office-manag...

Tories confirm Chris Philp's bill proposing mass deportation of people with indefinite leave to remain no longer party policy - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Important new report on the failures of the asylum accommodation system by Home Affairs Committee.

Pretty frustrated at the front page of a UK newspaper today listing the method of suicide used by Ricky Hatton. I won’t share a screen shot because we should not share details of methods. I would urge all journalists to read the excellent Samaritans guidelines

Great to see Ben meeting with my @futuregovforum.bsky.social colleagues @emilyagraham.bsky.social and @bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social to talk reform of the asylum system. Ben wrote a great essay for our recent collection 'A vision for renewal': www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the...

Fantastic to meet @bengoldsborough.bsky.social today, who wrote an essay in @futuregovforum.bsky.social's new collection And it feels more relevant than ever: "Liberal, inclusive democracy cannot afford to respond [to populism] with hand-wringing. It must respond with clarity, courage & action" 👇

@alfdubs.bsky.social kindly wrote the foreword to FGF’s ‘Future of Asylum – a vision for renewal’ essay collection which includes contributions from charities, housing associations & MPs that consider how the government can reform the asylum system 🔽 www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the...

Don’t miss @alfdubs.bsky.social article on @labourlist.bsky.social that explains why leaving the ECHR would undermine 'Britain’s long-standing tradition of providing sanctuary to those in desperate need.’ Read it here 🔽 labourlist.org/2025/10/brit...

In @labourlist.bsky.social today, @alfdubs.bsky.social warns that Britain’s legacy is at risk But argues that Labour's leadership can save it if they rally behind Starmer’s message at conference & shift the narrative on asylum away from far-right's divisive rhetoric labourlist.org/2025/10/brit...

Govt plans to restrict family reunion for refugees is back in the news today - including the fact that there are different rules for refugee families to other migrants & British citizens So what are the rules for refugee families, and why are they different? Time for a thread on what's what 🧵

Kicking off our @futuregovforum.bsky.social event, ‘Labour, Populism & the Future of Asylum’, to a packed room at #Lab25

Populists want confusion. Democracy demands clarity, courage and action. The threat is real – but it’s not insurmountable. www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the... 4/4

Democracy isn’t self-defending. It needs us to stand up for it. I’ve written for the @futuregovforum.bsky.social's new report: The Future of Asylum – A Vision for Renewal. 👉 www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the... 1/4