Ilona Pinter 🧡
@ilonapin.bsky.social
Researcher #FamilyFinances @uofglasgow.bsky.social & #ChildPovMig @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social PhD @lsesocialpolicy.bsky.social #childrights #asylum #immigration #NRPF #poverty #inequality Lover of strangers & islands https://linktr.ee/ypseekingsafety
Pinned
Ilona Pinter 🧡
@ilonapin.bsky.social
· Oct 20
Learning is an essential need
Recent public narratives around asylum-seeking have focused on mostly men arriving by small boats and staying in Home Office commissioned hotels. However, what is the experience of the children and fa...
cpag.org.uk
The reality for children and families living in deep poverty while receiving Home Office Asylum Support gets little attention. My article for @cpaguk.bsky.social Poverty Journal - 'Learning is an essential need' - looks at what this means for children's education cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
Massively important point. These settlement changes will jeopardize any hopes many young people have of going to university without access to home fees or student finance. On top of what the longer term poverty will likely to mean for young people's earnings in adulthood.
PS, and then there is the issue of no home fees if the children reach university age before settlement.
November 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Massively important point. These settlement changes will jeopardize any hopes many young people have of going to university without access to home fees or student finance. On top of what the longer term poverty will likely to mean for young people's earnings in adulthood.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
On current fee levels I calculate that 5-year entry clearance, then 5-year extension (each with IHS), then settlement fees, would come to £16,649 for a single person. For a family of four (including partner and two children) it would be £58,267. (3)
November 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
On current fee levels I calculate that 5-year entry clearance, then 5-year extension (each with IHS), then settlement fees, would come to £16,649 for a single person. For a family of four (including partner and two children) it would be £58,267. (3)
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
The settlement consultation would seem to confirm that the switch to a 20 year route will apply to those already with refugee status. A refugee who got their status 4 years ago could, depending on timings, find themselves suddenly facing an extra 15 years, with status reviews every 30 months.
November 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The settlement consultation would seem to confirm that the switch to a 20 year route will apply to those already with refugee status. A refugee who got their status 4 years ago could, depending on timings, find themselves suddenly facing an extra 15 years, with status reviews every 30 months.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Our participant Tayyba recently delivered a powerful speech at a roundtable at @resolutionfoundation.org. The powerful speech touched on single parenthood, in-work poverty and domestic violence and why we need to centre and protect our children's futures: changingrealities.org/writings/tod...
Spoken at the Resolution Foundation on 12th November 2025
changingrealities.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Our participant Tayyba recently delivered a powerful speech at a roundtable at @resolutionfoundation.org. The powerful speech touched on single parenthood, in-work poverty and domestic violence and why we need to centre and protect our children's futures: changingrealities.org/writings/tod...
Feeling this guy this week.
My spirit animal joins us (and I am particularly feeling him this week)!
November 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Feeling this guy this week.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
"It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?"
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?"
High earners to be eligible for UK settlement within 3 years of arrival
Home secretary says ‘brightest and best’ will be fast-tracked under new plans while others will have to wait up to 30 years
www.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:32 AM
"It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?"
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?"
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Earned Settlement plan when implemented will be done via secondary legislation (the rules). There will be no parliamentary scrutiny prior. Once done, it'll be v.hard to politically reverse. It's a watershed moment and will define immigration policy for at least a decade.
November 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Earned Settlement plan when implemented will be done via secondary legislation (the rules). There will be no parliamentary scrutiny prior. Once done, it'll be v.hard to politically reverse. It's a watershed moment and will define immigration policy for at least a decade.
November 21, 2025 at 6:24 AM
With the child poverty strategy coming out soon, punishing children and families for being in poverty seems like a bad start: "Migrants reliant on benefits face a 20 year wait for settlement – quadruple the current period and the longest in Europe." www.gov.uk/government/n...
Biggest overhaul of legal migration model in 50 years announced
Illegal migrants and arrivals reliant on benefits face waiting between 20 and 30 years to settle – the toughest in Europe.
www.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
With the child poverty strategy coming out soon, punishing children and families for being in poverty seems like a bad start: "Migrants reliant on benefits face a 20 year wait for settlement – quadruple the current period and the longest in Europe." www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
How do arrival infrastructures - from churches to cafés - shape newcomers’ first steps in a new place? 📍
@swessendorf.bsky.social will explore this question in tomorrow’s seminar, ‘Infrastructure of Kindness in the Context of Migrant Arrival.’
@swessendorf.bsky.social will explore this question in tomorrow’s seminar, ‘Infrastructure of Kindness in the Context of Migrant Arrival.’
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
How do arrival infrastructures - from churches to cafés - shape newcomers’ first steps in a new place? 📍
@swessendorf.bsky.social will explore this question in tomorrow’s seminar, ‘Infrastructure of Kindness in the Context of Migrant Arrival.’
@swessendorf.bsky.social will explore this question in tomorrow’s seminar, ‘Infrastructure of Kindness in the Context of Migrant Arrival.’
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
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.
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.
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Applying the changes to settlement to refugees already here would be particularly cruel and will create so much anxiety.
@stellacreasy.bsky.social is quite right when she says "the Home Secretary needs to come clean asap as there will be refugees with jobs and mortgages that could be affected.”
@stellacreasy.bsky.social is quite right when she says "the Home Secretary needs to come clean asap as there will be refugees with jobs and mortgages that could be affected.”
The i Paper is reporting that once the changes are brought in, the 20 year route will be applied to refugees who are already here.
I can't over emphasise the level of terror this will cause to our refugee population, and the lack of detail and timescale will make it very difficult to calm nerves.
I can't over emphasise the level of terror this will cause to our refugee population, and the lack of detail and timescale will make it very difficult to calm nerves.
November 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Applying the changes to settlement to refugees already here would be particularly cruel and will create so much anxiety.
@stellacreasy.bsky.social is quite right when she says "the Home Secretary needs to come clean asap as there will be refugees with jobs and mortgages that could be affected.”
@stellacreasy.bsky.social is quite right when she says "the Home Secretary needs to come clean asap as there will be refugees with jobs and mortgages that could be affected.”
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Amid all the asylum reform announcements, the HO finally slipped out its asylum support rates review last week. What does this mean for child poverty?🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Report on review of cash allowance paid to asylum seekers
Home Office reviews of the cash allowance paid to asylum seekers.
www.gov.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Amid all the asylum reform announcements, the HO finally slipped out its asylum support rates review last week. What does this mean for child poverty?🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Amid all the asylum reform announcements, the HO finally slipped out its asylum support rates review last week. What does this mean for child poverty?🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Report on review of cash allowance paid to asylum seekers
Home Office reviews of the cash allowance paid to asylum seekers.
www.gov.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Amid all the asylum reform announcements, the HO finally slipped out its asylum support rates review last week. What does this mean for child poverty?🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
‘I’m missing so much of my son’s life’: the families split by Labour’s asylum crackdown
‘I’m missing so much of my son’s life’: the families split by Labour’s asylum crackdown
As the government imposes stricter rules for families of asylum seekers coming to the UK, one mother tells how her son is growing up without her
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
‘I’m missing so much of my son’s life’: the families split by Labour’s asylum crackdown
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Refuge isn’t weakness. It’s an investment. And the returns are human, immeasurable, and generational.
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Refuge isn’t weakness. It’s an investment. And the returns are human, immeasurable, and generational.
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
I am proof... living, breathing proof... of what happens when a country offers refuge with a future attached.
Britain gave me a chance, and I have spent my life giving back.
6/8
Britain gave me a chance, and I have spent my life giving back.
6/8
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I am proof... living, breathing proof... of what happens when a country offers refuge with a future attached.
Britain gave me a chance, and I have spent my life giving back.
6/8
Britain gave me a chance, and I have spent my life giving back.
6/8
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
They don’t see the lives that bloom when safety is offered without an expiry date.
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
They don’t see the lives that bloom when safety is offered without an expiry date.
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
They don’t see what Britain gains when it chooses compassion over suspicion.
5/8
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Policies like this pretend they’re about “control.” What they actually do is choke off the very stories that make this country stronger. They don’t see the scared kid who might grow into a doctor, a teacher, a neighbour, a parent.
4/8
4/8
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Policies like this pretend they’re about “control.” What they actually do is choke off the very stories that make this country stronger. They don’t see the scared kid who might grow into a doctor, a teacher, a neighbour, a parent.
4/8
4/8
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I came to this country as a child refugee. No English, no certainty, no idea what my life could become. Britain gave me refuge.
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Not on a timer, not with conditions attached, but with a chance to grow roots.
A thread 🧵 1/8
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Tl;dr - if Labour want to combat racism, they should say racism is wrong, over and over, and act on that belief (e.g. by leaving certain social media sites owned by racists). That would do more to promote anti-racist norms, and protect the interests of Britain's minorities than immigration controls.
November 18, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Tl;dr - if Labour want to combat racism, they should say racism is wrong, over and over, and act on that belief (e.g. by leaving certain social media sites owned by racists). That would do more to promote anti-racist norms, and protect the interests of Britain's minorities than immigration controls.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
One line stuck out for me in @stephenkb.bsky.social 's excellent morning email today - "No other government since 1970 would have suggested that such a direct linkage between “immigration policy” and “the safety of ethnic minorities in the UK” was something we should accept." Not so sure on this.1/?
November 18, 2025 at 10:23 AM
One line stuck out for me in @stephenkb.bsky.social 's excellent morning email today - "No other government since 1970 would have suggested that such a direct linkage between “immigration policy” and “the safety of ethnic minorities in the UK” was something we should accept." Not so sure on this.1/?
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Defence of Labour asylum policy reveals backsliding on racism
Home secretary’s framing of failures is partly low politics, but also a result of ministers’ poor approach to race relations
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Guardian editorial www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Labour’s asylum plans: ministers cannot out-Farage the far right and should stop trying | Editorial
Editorial: Shabana Mahmood’s asylum overhaul burdens an overstretched system and hands political advantage to her opponents
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Guardian editorial www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
The "golden ticket" explanation does not seem likely to be a major factor
- UK is only 17th pro rata to population
- UK rules more generous in some respects (family) but less so in others (right to work, cash)
- More importantly, v few know these rules; nor is it clear this is the pro-UK perception
- UK is only 17th pro rata to population
- UK rules more generous in some respects (family) but less so in others (right to work, cash)
- More importantly, v few know these rules; nor is it clear this is the pro-UK perception
November 17, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The "golden ticket" explanation does not seem likely to be a major factor
- UK is only 17th pro rata to population
- UK rules more generous in some respects (family) but less so in others (right to work, cash)
- More importantly, v few know these rules; nor is it clear this is the pro-UK perception
- UK is only 17th pro rata to population
- UK rules more generous in some respects (family) but less so in others (right to work, cash)
- More importantly, v few know these rules; nor is it clear this is the pro-UK perception