Incomers: through the barricades – a matter of curiosity? Xenophobia fuels myths about migrants, but facts show asylum seekers enrich the UK and face hardship, not handouts or criminality By Jeremy Leslie-Spinks @yorkshirebylines.co.uk

Georgia O'Keeffe, Blue Wave Maine, 1926 #WomensArt

Racism on the Elizabeth Line. Sophia Choudry says she can feel a regression in social norms this summer after the progress across generations. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

In this blog✍️ for our Good Growth Hub, John Penrose makes the case for stronger evaluation of public policy & for drawing on the evidence of what works when devising & implementing policies to increase productivity & economic growth. Read now➡️ acss.org.uk/knowing-what...

After the London march organised by Tommy Robinson + the epidemic of racist flag raising, Starmer's response is to accept the premise that too many people were allowed into the UK.

Indeed. Legal migration to the UK is, by definition, "controlled". This is not a coherent critique (of either New Labour or the Conservatives) either economically or politically.

I would genuinely like to know who the hell in the No.10 comms team thinks: 1) that a comms strategy from 1995 was the way to do the big 'unite the country' message 2) that leading it with 'our opponents were right' was a good plan At least its in the Telegraph so no one will see it

We're on track for a decade of decline in families’ disposables incomes by the end of the parliament. But this is not inevitable. The gov can introduce targeted policies like investing in social security, and interventions in key areas like housing and energy. Listen on @lbc.co.uk 🔽

Join us at #LabourConference Monday 29 Sept 6pm. In divisive times, how can we make constructive progress on inclusion in the workplace? Panel discussion with: Anneliese Dodds MP; Uma Kumaran MP; Hayley Bennett, HTVB; Anna Purchas of @kpmguk.bsky.social and @heather-rolfe.bsky.social (Chair)

A short piece for @ukandeu.bsky.social looking at Reform’s proposal to end ILR - a gamble that may backfire as it is way out of line with public opinion. Just 3% of voters back permanently excluding migrants from access to the welfare state as Farage proposes to do ukandeu.ac.uk/reforms-radi...

Global industries face skills gaps, while millions of adaptable, multilingual refugees are denied higher education. When given access, they become the engineers and innovators our world needs. Mosaik works with universities to unlock this talent. Find out how to partner with us at www.mosaik.ngo.

This week's sudden restrictions on high-skill immigration to the United States will severely harm US innovation and productivity. That doesn't even slightly suggest that US workers aren't 'good enough'. I spoke with the brilliant @hakyungkim.bsky.social of @financialtimes.com —> on.ft.com/3IB6gO5

The Reform leader, whose party is leading in the polls, made the unsubstantiated claim in a radio interview

Seems like a pretty good attack line to me

Better late than never etc, but what's interesting about this is how Starmer is trying to lean into the area where he is seen to have performed well and has a degree of political capital, to land a message at home www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The history of the "white gloves" in cartoons. As usual the answer is racism.

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Ignore the haters, London is the 🐐

Nigel Farage claimed Reform's migration policy would save £234bn, citing a Centre for Policy Studies report that has been withdrawn because of a dispute over the numbers @jdportes.bsky.social explains exactly why this figure is incorrect and questions its use by Farage on @gbnewsonline.bsky.social

Fact check: deranged gibberish

Millions of Afghans are returning. They often face abrupt or violent returns, loss of assets & documentation, & limited aid - issues that especially hit women. Of 747 returnees we surveyed in 2025: ➡️80% deported/expelled  ➡️53% didn’t receive aid (65% for women)  1/2 #Afghanistan

At a time of such polarisation, how can we make constructive progress on inclusion in the workplace? Join us at #LabourConference Monday 29 Sept 6pm to discuss with: Anneliese Dodds MP, Uma Kumaran MP, Hayley Bennett, Anna Purchas of @kpmguk.bsky.social and @heather-rolfe.bsky.social (Chair)

"Hongkongers sought refuge in Britain after China punished the city for standing up for values that were inculcated by its former colonial master. They are owed a debt of loyalty. Many exist under the threat of the CCP's transnational repression; they don’t need further reasons to fear the future."

An obvious consequence of restricting skilled immigration is offshoring jobs/business. Applies to US but also potentially to any further UK restrictions on skilled work visas/leave to remain for migrant workers. We have no automatic right to these jobs..

As well as the fantasy £234 bn, journalists should also be clear Farage's claims most new migrants don't work, and those who do are on low wages, are entirely false. In fact, 1.8 million recent migrants are on payrolls (others will be self employed). migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

Nigel Farage claims that when you apply for a work visa, "It's for you, not to bring your family, it's for you" Reality: Over 150 countries worldwide allow a worker to be accompanied by their spouse/partner and children

Which countries in Europe face the greatest labour market slack?

Tax rises in, two-child limit out: what Resolution Foundation’s boss is urging Reeves before budget

This is the state of play. This is how anti-trans hate can affect everyone. When the wife of a world leader is not immune to having to prove she's a woman to satisfy bigots, what hope do most trans and non-binary individuals have of being able to live our lives in peace www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Research from @amnesty.org has found that "X acted like petrol on the fire of racist violence in the aftermath of the Southport tragedy" www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...

If you live in the London Borough of #Newham, please take this short survey for the Independent Commission on Inclusion and Belonging in Multi-Ethnic Newham. We're examining how residents in one of the most diverse places in the UK can live well together. www.britishfuture.org/independent-...

If you're at Lib Dem conference next week, come to our event 'How can liberals win the argument on immigration?' on Monday evening 7.45pm at the Marriott. With @lisasmartmp.bsky.social‬ @markpackuk.bsky.social‬ @sundersays.bsky.social‬ & Frank Sharry. www.britishfuture.org/event/britis... #LDconf

How to stop the boats with control *and* compassion - new report by @britishfuture.bsky.social "Swift returns of asylum seekers who arrive without authorisation and controlled and capped legal routes offering refugee protection to those who qualify." www.britishfuture.org/bold-control...

“Charity & think tank leaders have the power to advocate for a broad range of groups [but] Without action, the risk is that the voices of working-class people remain unrepresented in the rooms where their lives & futures are discussed” @carlcullinane.bsky.social / @suttontrust.bsky.social #charities

🚨 NEW: Britain’s most powerful people are still 5x more likely to have been privately educated than the general population. Our brand-new research reveals that jobs in the media, business, charity, creative and public sectors remain dominated by those from private schools ⤵️🧵

🤔 Where do Britain’s most influential people go to school and university? Which professions are the most socially excusive? Tomorrow, we will publish Elitist Britain 2025, a landmark report updating on our previous research on elitism in 2019. Keep your eyes peeled! 👀

We are hiring at The Economist. This is not just any internship. You will be a paid staff member and writer for 6 months. www.economist.com/finance-and-...

In London, hate will never win.

well done Ed.

Fantastic column by @stephenkb.bsky.social "Racism in the UK remains the preserve of an extreme minority — but one that is emboldened and growing louder. It is the result of a year in which neither the government nor the opposition have been willing to draw red lines." www.ft.com/content/fbbd...

👀 We’re looking for an Evaluation Consultant! Skilled in quantitative + qualitative research & evaluation reports? Join the Migration Museum to shape the final evaluation of our Collections Project. Budget: £8k | Hybrid (London/UK travel) | Deadline: 29 Sept 2025

Home Office figures released today show that almost 2,000 companies lost their licence to hire migrant workers in 2024 - more than double the number in the previous months. *Rolling up their sleeves and pursuing real solutions”? Sadly not. www.gov.uk/government/n...

‘People from working class backgrounds no more likely to become doctors now than they were in the 1960s… children of doctors 100x more likely to become doctors themselves than children of people in “routine” working class roles’ www.personneltoday.com/hr/medical-p... #SocialMobility #DEI

Excited we will have a plaque to remember thousands of people who lived & worked in Tooting Bec Asylum/hospital - you’d never know it was there, it’s a housing estate. Come and discover the history and the people @tootingnewsie.bsky.social @andybell-centremh.bsky.social @pollardtom.bsky.social

Great to hear gov't reply to @umakumaran.bsky.social on Youth Mobility and Erasmus Plus, acknowledging not only their economic benefits, but also their soft power potential and explicitly commit to opening them to all economic backgrounds, with the Taith scheme in Wales as part of the learning.👏🏽 ~AA

🥳 Many congratulations to @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social and @sarahfraserbutlin.bsky.social - their book 'Low-Paid EU Migrant Workers: The House, The Street, The Town' won the @uaces.bsky.social Best Book Prize at the annual conference last week. More: bit.ly/4nrPb8e

We've got a chunky @britishacademy.bsky.social report out looking at the emergence of 'cold spots' where you can't study arts, humanities or social science subjects close to home. We call for an urgent review of HE funding & monitoring of at risk subjects www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/univers...

🗣️ Immigration debates matter because they shape the kind of country we want to be. In my speech on petitions for BNO Indefinite Leave to Remain and ILR for Skilled Workers, I made this clear: managed migration strengthens us – economically, culturally, and diplomatically.

At the Social Mobility Commission’s symposium event today, hosting an event discussing ‘Social Mobility: The integration challenge’ with @alunfrancis.bsky.social; Helen Mountfield, principal of Mansfield College, Oxford; Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham; & our own @sundersays.bsky.social

New post: Key myths on asylum, immigration and how to take on the far right mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/09/key-... Few issues are so contaminated by disinformation as immigration/asylum. While some have motives to push these myths, the government has its own myths that stop it explaining facts.

More fear and the stoking up of prejudice causing fear and danger in Nuneaton as American footballers are targeted as asylum seekers www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-n...