BBC News is going very hard on its investigation into advisers who help people ‘fake’ asylum claims, focusing especially on people who falsely claim to be gay. But it doesn’t say what percentage of claims are made on the basis of sexuality. As of 2023 — the last available figures — it was 3%.
Nigel Farage claims "Look at net migration numbers. Oh, it isn't good that net migration is coming down".
"Do you know why? Its because there is an exodus: those of a situation + a financial position to be fortunate to have a choice"
A v misleading exaggeration/narrative of falling net migration
Apparently the Home Office are continuing to contest Iranian asylum appeals.
The law is that the judge has to assess risk on return as at the day of hearing.
Marginal tax rates for graduates with student loans – add interest and another 6% for postgrads.
£25,000: 37%
£50,270: 51%
£100,000: 71%
Trump's arrest of Don Lemon shows that his "pivot" is an utter farce. As legal experts tell me, this looks appallingly corrupt. Indeed, it's likely this is all about sending a message that Trump isn't deescalating in the slightest.
New piece with fresh details here:
newrepublic.com/article/2059...
Congratulations Alasdair, well deserved!
Worth noting that one reason why recruitment of FTT immigration judges has been difficult is the risk that Robert Jenrick would read out your name in Parliament and call for you to be sacked when you give a decision he didn’t like.
"a colossal waste of time and energy" sounds about right. Some systems do need tearing up and starting again - the Legal Aid Agency comes to mind, but if the FTT were just properly resourced it could deal with all of the problems. Upper Tribunal looks as though its going to be pretty busy.
"Denmark’s Refugee Appeals Board does deliver final decisions quickly and has very few onward challenges. However, Denmark also has far higher initial grant rates (around 65–70 per cent) than the UK (47%) and invests heavily in high-quality first decisions". ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Glad we made this decision today
I know colleagues, the government and other organisations think they will be ceding ground and an important public discussion space if they leave X
It has been twisted too far into an unsafe, malign and destructive tool to morally use, & thereby endorse, anymore
😱
National Age Assessment Board Decision quashed in landmark judgment - Catherine Meredith and Michael Spencer represented ALK and were instructed by Alex McMahon and Amir Faizi at Osbornes Solicitors LLP.
Thank you to Ed Cape, Matthew Hardcastle and Sandra Paul for a brilliant launch webinar on Tuesday evening!
If you missed it you can view the recording here: hi.switchy.io/lFNA
And don't forget to order your copy! Link to order: hi.switchy.io/lFNN
Yep
"Poor decision-making by public bodies causes ‘avoidable disputes’ that put ‘systemic strain on tribunals, charities and public services’, according to an expert report on administrative justice."
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/avoidab...
At least 160,000 people have been granted refugee status over the past five years. It now seems they are intended to be caught by the Government’s plans to make refugees wait up to 20 years for settlement - even for those just months away from ILR
www.thetimes.com/article/6f83...
A sheep who is dealing with the disappointment of hearing the news that I will not take it home and permit it to be my child.
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
Going to leave you with a Home Office chart from their most recent asylum stats so you can decide whether the UK is a magnet for asylum seekers with a uniquely generous asylum system www.gov.uk/government/s...
This is simply untrue, I think. The Common European Asylum System, of which the UK was part until 2020, requires these standards. Denmark is not part of the CES but pretty much everywhere else in Europe is.
The Government inherited an asylum system in meltdown, and had managed to at least get cases being processed again while ending the madness of the Rwanda plan. But the policies being announced today undermine all of that, making it harder for refugees to integrate and contribute to their communities
Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy. It doesn’t have to be like this - 1/2
A strong immigration system doesn't need to be a cruel one.
It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.
This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.
Another Labour MP goes public with concerns.
Good thread.
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This statement not acceptable and I suspect not sustainable. Large majority of public support principle of asylum, support letting people stay permanently. Majority for that among Labour and other progressive parties’ voters is overwhelming. The Reform voters this is aimed at will never vote Labour
On 4 November, the Home Affairs Committee met with the Migration Advisory Committee to discuss the proposed changes to ILR. They brought up some very interesting points.
Part 1
