Third Daily Mail sting solicitor cleared of misconduct All three solicitors accused by the Daily Mail of offering to help an undercover reporter concoct false asylum claims have now been cleared of misconduct.

Perhaps surprisingly, a similar investigation from the Daily Mail did not lead to a prosecution. www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/...

Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds The BBC exposes a shadow industry charging migrants thousands of pounds to help them cheat the asylum system.

A BBC investigation has discovered a 'shadow industry' of advisers and law firms that is seemingly helping migrants fabricate asylum claims by pretending to be gay. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Home Office monthly stats are out today.The data show that applications for Health & Care and Skilled Worker visas continue to fall. Meanwhile, the share of dependants is rising in both routes, even after restrictions on H&C dependants. What’s driving this trend is not entirely clear. Any thoughts?💡

A compelling review of @msumption.bsky.social's fab new book "What is Immigration Policy For?" from the inimitable @colinyeo.bsky.social - who takes an unusually authoritarian stance:

"...I’m half-minded to suggest Clockwork Orange-style forced reading"

freemovement.org.uk/book-review-...

What Is Immigration Policy For? What Is Immigration Policy For?; This book explores what immigration policy seeks to achieve and why so many people end up unhappy with the outcome. Drawing on decades of research and examples from hi...

You can order the book here: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-i...

Our Director @msumption.bsky.social talks to the Migration Policy Institute about her new book on immigration policy and why it is so difficult for governments to manage
@migrationpolicy.bsky.social

People crossing the English Channel in small boats - Migration Observatory This briefing examines the phenomenon of people crossing the English Channel in small boats.

7,500 small boat arrivals had been removed from the UK by the end of '25 - 4% of all arrivals since '18.

Small boats accounted for 41% of all asylum apps last year, and arrivals remained more likely to get protection with a 61% grant rate.

More below:

migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

Book launch: What is immigration policy for? | Institute for Government Madeleine Sumption will be joined by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd to explore how governments can design immigration policies that work.

What is immigration policy for? Register now for this Institute for Government event with former Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Madeleine Sumption in conversation about her new book on why immigration policy is so difficult

26th April 6pm

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/book-l...

Dr Mihnea Cuibus, Migration Observatory, summarises how the ongoing conflict in Iran may affect refugee flows to Europe, and more specifically, the UK.

Watch below ⬇️

Dr Mihnea Cuibus, Migration Observatory, summarises how the ongoing conflict in Iran may affect refugee flows to Europe, and more specifically, the UK.

Watch below ⬇️

Iranian migration to the UK in 7 charts - Migration Observatory This commentary examines data on Iranian migration to the UK through 7 charts.

Will the conflict in Iran affect UK asylum flows?

So far, it's too early to tell, but Iranians were the largest group seeking asylum in the UK in the past 10 years, and first among small boat arrivals.

migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

Labour’s pledges on migration: the data - Migration Observatory This commentary examines the Labour government’s progress towards its goals on migration after a year in government.

migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

80k asylum appeals were pending at the end of 2025, double from a year before. Initial decision backlog has fallen but a growing appeals backlog means the number of asylum seekers receiving support - and in hotels - remains high.

Our updated tracker of Labour's goals:

How will the higher language requirement affect migrants? In short, we don’t know because there's no data on how many migrants can speak English at the B1 or B2 level.

In 2021, however, 90% of migrants living in England or Wales self-reported speaking English without difficulty.

The government has announced that migrants will have to pass an English language test at the B2 level to obtain settlement, up from the current B1 level.

This change will come into force in March 2027.

Iranian migration to the UK in 7 charts - Migration Observatory This commentary examines data on Iranian migration to the UK through 7 charts.

Too early to tell what the impact of conflict will be but unrest in Iran may plausibly affect UK asylum flows.

Iranians were largest group seeking asylum in UK in 2016-25, and first among small boat arrivals. UK has also been the top destination in Europe for Iranian asylum seekers.

Our analysis:

The government will stop issuing study visas to people from 4 countries, plus Skilled Worker visas to Afghans. It said this is because people from those countries were the most likely to make an asylum claim after coming to the UK to study.

In 2025, there were 3,209 grants to affected nationals 👇

International students entering the UK labour market Migration Observatory This analysis examines international students staying in the UK for work after their studies, and the jobs they do - including in the care sector.

migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...

Student Migration to the UK - Migration Observatory This briefing examines non-european student migration to the UK including where they come from, their characteristics, who sponsors them, and how many eventually settle in the country.

migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

New ONS data: % of intl students who stay in the UK has continued to increase.
More are switching to other visas - 2 yrs after arrival, 62% of students who arrived in YE June 2023 had switched, up from 17% among YE June 2020 arrivals.
Our previous analysis on this linked below

New Home Office stats show a big increase in the processing of asylum claims - which should be good news, but will add big strain to an already stretched tribunals system which will have to deal with an additional tens of thousands of appeals.

Migrant Settlement in the UK - Migration Observatory How many migrants are granted settlement, ILR or 'settled status', the cost of settlement and info on the Brexit EU Settlement Scheme.

As always, in the full briefing, we take a look at much, much more. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...

Settlement rates are expected to increase. One indication is that 82% of migrants who arrived in 2022 still had leave 2 years later, the highest share of any cohort in the past 20 years.

This is before we consider the impact of govt's earned settlement proposals, which will reduce settlement rates.

The majority of non-EU migrants who arrived during the past two decades did not go on to acquire settlement.

Settlement rates were much higher for family migrants (approx. 80%) than for work migrants and students (approx. 25% and 15%, respectively).

How many UK migrants get settlement, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain?

We answer that question, and more, in our updated settlement briefing.

253. The truth about immigration - who is coming and who is leaving? Spotify video

Our director @msumption.bsky.social went on the Rest is Money to talk about her new book plus how migration affects public finances, employers, and UK workers. Catch up here open.spotify.com/episode/3dqC...

This is exciting! Our director, the brilliant @msumption.bsky.social, has written this super accessible and interesting book What is Immigration Policy For? (Spoiler alert: it’s complicated). Pre-order in the next three days for 25% off! Out on March 31 www.waterstones.com/book/what-is...

There's 25% off pre-orders today and tomorrow here

www.waterstones.com/book/what-is...

What is immigration policy for?

Our wonderful director, @msumption.bsky.social, answers this question in her new book.

You can pre-order Madeleine’s book using the code FEB26 for 25% off. Offer ends 20 Feb.

🔗www.waterstones.com/campaign/february-pre-or... #WPreorder

What is immigration policy for?

Our wonderful director, @msumption.bsky.social, answers this question in her new book.

You can pre-order Madeleine’s book using the code FEB26 for 25% off. Offer ends 20 Feb.

🔗www.waterstones.com/campaign/february-pre-or... #WPreorder