Here's what you need to know about conviction and incarceration rates among British and foreign nationals, in 3 posts 👇

Are foreign nationals more or less likely to be convicted or imprisoned than British citizens? Our new commentary sets out what the data can tell us (and what it can’t). migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

New data provides fascinating insights into outcomes of recent refugees granted status between 2015 and 2020 Both asylum (ARR) and resettled refugees (RR) struggled in labour market, but particular the latter - likely reflecting that many were selected based on vulnerability link to data in reply

Fascinating insight from @BBCfileon4 into life inside asylum hotels - from cooking food in the bathtub to intense boredom, illegal working, and children in the UK so long they have British accents www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Govt promises "rapid review of modern slavery legislation" to "prevent its misuse" This follows litigation on whether an asylum seeker due to be removed to France could challenge the refusal of a negative modern slavery decision www.gov.uk/government/n...

Who is responsible for housing asylum seekers and refugees? In our new Q&A, we cover the following:

Sharp increase in homelessness among newly granted refugees was one of the reasons Home Sec cited for recent restriction on refugees' ability to sponsor family members Our latest Q&A provides background on the new policy migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

The government has announced key changes to its refugee family reunion policy. Our Q&A explains what’s changed, who’s affected, the possible consequences, and how the UK compares with other countries in Europe. Read more 👇 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

Busy day for our Senior Researcher, Peter Walsh: @BBCr4today and BBC 6 O’clock News on small boats and visa restrictions, and an interview for another major BBC show (that will come out later). bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… (starts at 00:46:00)

Who is responsible for housing asylum seekers and refugees? Our latest Q and A provides the key answers and explains the process - migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

I'm biased, but our new Q&A on housing for asylum seekers and refugees is an incredibly interesting read. In the Q&A, we cover the following:

Who is responsible for housing asylum seekers and refugees? Our latest Q and A provides the key answers and explains the process - migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

New piece in The Conversation by Rob McNeil and Peter Walsh from @migobs.bsky.social The most radical part of Reform’s deportation plans theconversation.com/the-most-rad...

Useful new stats from Home Office on how asylum applicants travel to the UK Significant increase in applications from people on visas (mostly work, study or visit), not just small boats Also large differences by nationality: Pakistani and Bangladeshi applicants much more likely to come on visas

65% of the increase in the UK’s population between 2004 and 2023 was due to net migration, and ONS projections assume this will rise to 104% in the coming years—in other words, the population would decline without net migration. See our updated population growth briefing for more.

Our briefing on family migration is out! It covers people joining British citizens or settled residents, migration of dependants, and families of refugees. Here are three things to know about dependants 👇 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

In the year March 2025, 192,000 work visas were granted to both EU and non-EU citizens. Our updated work visas briefing looks at the routes work migrants used to come to the UK, the jobs they do once they're here, and how many stay. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

In the year March 2025, 192,000 work visas were granted to both EU and non-EU citizens. Our updated work visas briefing looks at the routes work migrants used to come to the UK, the jobs they do once they're here, and how many stay. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

New briefing out today - returns increased 25% in 2024, to the highest level since 2017. More asylum seekers and foreign national offenders were returned too. Why did numbers increase after sharp declines in the 2010s? And what are the main barriers to returns? Link below

Recently announced changes will allow quicker deportation of foreign nationals from prisons. Increasing overall returns is a key government priority. Our revamped briefing provides context to the debate - numbers are up, but major challenges remain. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

Are you signed up to our roundup of new data, research and analysis on UK migration? In last week's newsletter, we covered the UK–France returns deal, international students joining the care workforce, the latest on EU migration & more. Sign up here 👇 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/newsletter-s...

Text of the UK-France small boats treaty published. Key points: ➤ Process to take up to 3 months from arrival in UK ➤ Doesn’t apply to unaccompanied minors ➤ FR can refuse to accept specific ppl back & will give aggregated data on reasons for refusals... 1/2 www.gov.uk/government/p...

Are you signed up to our roundup of new data, research and analysis on UK migration? In last week's newsletter, we covered the UK–France returns deal, international students joining the care workforce, the latest on EU migration & more. Sign up here 👇 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/newsletter-s...

The UK-France returns deal has come into force. Its effectiveness as a deterrent will likely depend on numbers, but it's unclear how many people will be transferred under the scheme—some reports suggest 50 returns a week. Find out more 👇 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

Asylum applications in the UK hit a record high in 2024. Our updated briefing explores application numbers, grant rates, system costs, employment outcomes for people who came to the UK to seek asylum and much more. Check it out 👉 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

Asylum applications in the UK hit a record high in 2024. Our updated briefing explores application numbers, grant rates, system costs, employment outcomes for people who came to the UK to seek asylum and much more. Check it out 👉 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

At the end of June, foreign nationals made up 10% of the sentenced prison population in England and Wales, a little less than their share of the adult population (12%). New MoJ data shows how that differs by offence type.

Foreign nationals' share of the remand population in England and Wales is higher, at 21%. Courts are less likely to grant migrants bail, as they’re often perceived as having a higher risk of absconding.

Have you read the @MigObs July newsletter? It covers the UK–France returns deal, international students joining the care workforce, the latest on EU migration, and more. Check it out 👉 www.linkedin.com/pulse/migrat...

Care work is now closed to overseas recruitment. Will UK employers hire more international students instead? Little known fact: former international students are actually already a major source of recruitment in UK care, and this can in theory continue until 2028 (link to our analysis in reply)

New @ONS estimates today show the spike in rate of population growth in 2023-4 in England/Wales due to net migration Natural change (i.e. births minus deaths within the UK) has seen striking decline over the past decade, by contrast www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...

How have the earnings of migrant employees changed over time? HMRC stats from our updated piece with @jdportes.bsky.social indicate that non-EU nationals who joined the workforce since Brexit have seen faster earnings growth than earlier cohorts.

New FOI data show that ESOL funding was higher in 2023/24 than at any point since 2010/11 (in real terms). This followed the devolution of the Adult Skills Fund in 2019, as well as demand for ESOL courses from Afghans and Ukrainians arriving on humanitarian routes 1/2

The UK and France recently signed a pilot scheme to return some small boat arrivals in exchange for asylum seekers. 🔹Bilateral deals have reduced boat arrivals on other corridors, like to Italy from Libya and Tunisia. 🔹From 2018-2024, 3% of boat arrivals to the UK were returned, mostly to Albania.

Small boat arrivals in the first half of 2025 were nearly fifty per cent higher than in the same period in 2024. This continued a trend of rising numbers which began in the autumn of last year. Explore the figures in depth in our updated briefing ⬇️ migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

Mig Obs researchers have been popping up all across the media in recent weeks. Most glamorous was our very own Peter Walsh, who was quoted in the New York Times, commenting on the UK government's new sanctions regime to target people smugglers. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/w... [paywalled]

Care work is now closed to overseas recruitment. Will UK employers hire more international students instead? Little known fact: former international students are actually already a major source of recruitment in UK care, and this can in theory continue until 2028 (link to our analysis in reply)

From today, 111 jobs will no longer qualify for Skilled Worker visas, but a sizable number will still be able to recruit migrants. In fact, of the 26,900 people who were granted a Skilled Worker visa between October and March, 76% were for jobs that will remain eligible.

Plenty of details about the UK-France returns deal remain unclear, including how many people will be transferred under the scheme. Its effectiveness as a deterrent will likely depend on numbers. More on this & options for further cooperation: migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

This is really interesting on English language proficiency (Census analysis) and provision (from FoIs). Worth a read. Note the Adult Skills Fund has halved in size since 2010 (now £1.4bn), so ESOL must be a higher proportion of the total than in the early 2010s.

New FOI data show that ESOL funding was higher in 2023/24 than at any point since 2010/11 (in real terms). This followed the devolution of the Adult Skills Fund in 2019, as well as demand for ESOL courses from Afghans and Ukrainians arriving on humanitarian routes 1/2

With the government closing the care route to overseas recruitment later this month, international students are likely to be one of the largest sources of workers for social care providers. In fact, new FOI data show they already are. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

With the government closing the care route to overseas recruitment later this month, international students are likely to be one of the largest sources of workers for social care providers. In fact, new FOI data show they already are. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

The official text on the UK-France proposed small boats returns agreement

Kier Starmer on proposed UK-FR deal: "For the very first time, migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France in short order. In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here via a safe route, controlled and legal, subject to strict... 1/3

In case you missed it: our latest commentary looks at UK–France and UK–EU cooperation on small boat arrivals—what the options are, what they mean for deterrence, and what their implications are for the future of asylum policy 👉 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

Plenty of recent speculation about whether a UK-France deal on small boat returns will be announced this week. Would such a deal bring down arrivals? And what are some other options for improved cooperation with France and the EU? New commentary 👇 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

New Policy Exchange report on international students proposes: ➤ Abolishing grad visa OR restricting to ‘top universities’ ➤ Making proposed levy on universities a flat rate, not a % of fees ➤ Making student visa applicants commit not to apply for asylum policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...

From 22 July, 111 jobs will no longer qualify for Skilled Worker visas, but a sizable number will still be able to recruit migrants. In fact, of the 26,900 people who got a Skilled Worker visa between October and March, 76% were for jobs that will remain eligible.

After 1 year in government, has Labour made progress towards its goals on migration? We look at 5 pledges: - Net migration↘️ - Work visas↘️ - Small boat arrivals ↗️ - Asylum backlog ↘️ but appeals backlog ↗️ - Returns↗️ migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...