Jon Featonby
@jonfeatonby.bsky.social
I do refugee and asylum policy at the Refugee Council, so most likely a lot of the posts will be about that.
One of the important points in the updated House of Commons library paper on the settlement changes is they can be done in the immigration rules. So very little, if any, parliamentary scrutiny despite the changes fundamentally altering peoples' rights commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Changes to UK visa and settlement rules after the 2025 immigration white paper
Frequently asked questions about the UK government's immigration white paper proposals in 2025, including longer qualifying periods for indefinite leave to remain.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
One of the important points in the updated House of Commons library paper on the settlement changes is they can be done in the immigration rules. So very little, if any, parliamentary scrutiny despite the changes fundamentally altering peoples' rights commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Danish foreign minister and ex-PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen warns of need for balance & nuance on immigration & asylum "Danish model". Regrets some of harsher measures and signals of his government. NYT report notes the politics for centre-left now more contested too
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
Denmark Offers Lessons as Europe Toughens Up on Immigration
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Danish foreign minister and ex-PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen warns of need for balance & nuance on immigration & asylum "Danish model". Regrets some of harsher measures and signals of his government. NYT report notes the politics for centre-left now more contested too
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
The government’s decision to halve the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation is driving people into homelessness and exploitation, according to migrant rights campaigners and homelessness charities
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
New asylum policies making homeless refugees “targets for the far right”
Labour’s abrupt return to the 28-day move-on period is pushing vulnerable people into rough sleeping and exposing them to fraud and abuse.
national.thelead.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The government’s decision to halve the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation is driving people into homelessness and exploitation, according to migrant rights campaigners and homelessness charities
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Our @sundersays.bsky.social gave evidence this morning to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship and Integration - watch here:
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Parliamentlive.tv
Justice and Home Affairs Committee
parliamentlive.tv
November 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Our @sundersays.bsky.social gave evidence this morning to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship and Integration - watch here:
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
NEW: FGF proposes a 3 step plan to end use of asylum hotels by mid-2026, saving govt up to £5 billion.
The report brings together ideas from @nestauk.bsky.social, @labourtogether.bsky.social, @refugeecouncil.bsky.social & housing expert Kate Wareing.
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/res...
The report brings together ideas from @nestauk.bsky.social, @labourtogether.bsky.social, @refugeecouncil.bsky.social & housing expert Kate Wareing.
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/res...
November 25, 2025 at 9:24 AM
NEW: FGF proposes a 3 step plan to end use of asylum hotels by mid-2026, saving govt up to £5 billion.
The report brings together ideas from @nestauk.bsky.social, @labourtogether.bsky.social, @refugeecouncil.bsky.social & housing expert Kate Wareing.
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/res...
The report brings together ideas from @nestauk.bsky.social, @labourtogether.bsky.social, @refugeecouncil.bsky.social & housing expert Kate Wareing.
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/res...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
This is an insane way to be making policy clarifications, but the Home Sec has tweeted that the increases to settement for illegal entry will not be applied to refugees
h/t @jonfeatonby.bsky.social for flagging this up
h/t @jonfeatonby.bsky.social for flagging this up
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is an insane way to be making policy clarifications, but the Home Sec has tweeted that the increases to settement for illegal entry will not be applied to refugees
h/t @jonfeatonby.bsky.social for flagging this up
h/t @jonfeatonby.bsky.social for flagging this up
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...
www.thetimes.com/article/6f83...
November 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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...
www.thetimes.com/article/6f83...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Our new analysis shows once the system is fully operational, 1.66-1.9m reviews of refugee status would need to be done over the first decade, resulting in a total cost of between £1.1 - 1.27bn, depending on how many people lose their protection at review.
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Our new analysis shows once the system is fully operational, 1.66-1.9m reviews of refugee status would need to be done over the first decade, resulting in a total cost of between £1.1 - 1.27bn, depending on how many people lose their protection at review.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
The government’s plan to review refugee status every 30 months is unworkable and extremely costly - and applying it retrospectively to people already granted protection will make an unmanageable system even worse.
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The government’s plan to review refugee status every 30 months is unworkable and extremely costly - and applying it retrospectively to people already granted protection will make an unmanageable system even worse.
The race to the bottom…
Westminster’s overhaul of its asylum system will affect us, and unless we want even higher numbers coming here, we need to set similar measures | ✍️ Leo Varadkar
Common travel area means Ireland must align migration law with UK
Westminster’s overhaul of its asylum system will affect us, and unless we want even higher numbers coming here, we need to set similar measures
www.thetimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The race to the bottom…
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Planning to start your Christmas shopping this weekend?
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
Good Gifts 2025
Use your Secret Santa or present giving to support charities, museums and small businesses.
madlinblog.wordpress.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Planning to start your Christmas shopping this weekend?
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
I've got you covered with over 100 links to charities, museums and small businesses selling interesting things which will bring joy not landfill.
#GoodGifts
Reposted by Jon Featonby
My latest, for New Statesman
Tinkering with ECHR definitions will not help the government, by David Allen Green
The proposed changes to Articles 3 and 8 in asylum cases will achieve little or nothing
The proposed changes to Articles 3 and 8 in asylum cases will achieve little or nothing
Tinkering with ECHR definitions will not help the government
The proposed changes to Articles 3 and 8 in asylum cases will achieve little or nothing
www.newstatesman.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
My latest, for New Statesman
Even under the Conservatives they didn't apply the changes to settlement/length of leave in the Nationality and Borders Act or the automatic inadmissibility of asylum applications to people already in the UK, let along people already recognised as refugees.
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 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Even under the Conservatives they didn't apply the changes to settlement/length of leave in the Nationality and Borders Act or the automatic inadmissibility of asylum applications to people already in the UK, let along people already recognised as refugees.
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 Jon Featonby
Home Office media release on new settlement rules.
5 years to settlement for family members of British citizens; BNO Hong Kong visas + public sector workers
Keir Starmer's government proposes 15 year, 20 year + even 30 year settlement routes: deliberately off the charts of any precedent anywhere
5 years to settlement for family members of British citizens; BNO Hong Kong visas + public sector workers
Keir Starmer's government proposes 15 year, 20 year + even 30 year settlement routes: deliberately off the charts of any precedent anywhere
November 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Home Office media release on new settlement rules.
5 years to settlement for family members of British citizens; BNO Hong Kong visas + public sector workers
Keir Starmer's government proposes 15 year, 20 year + even 30 year settlement routes: deliberately off the charts of any precedent anywhere
5 years to settlement for family members of British citizens; BNO Hong Kong visas + public sector workers
Keir Starmer's government proposes 15 year, 20 year + even 30 year settlement routes: deliberately off the charts of any precedent anywhere
Or, in the case of some refugees, increasing it from 5 to 30 years?
No 10 today: "The Home Office is announcing details of a consultation setting out the criteria to double the standard qualifying time for settlement [ILR] from 5 to 10 years"
"The measures follow publication of the Immigration White Paper, setting out comprehensive reforms" to the migration system.
"The measures follow publication of the Immigration White Paper, setting out comprehensive reforms" to the migration system.
November 20, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Or, in the case of some refugees, increasing it from 5 to 30 years?
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Home Secretary says in the foreword: "we propose to apply these changes to everyone in the country today who has not already received indefinite leave to remain... as soon as our immigration rules have changed".
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Home Secretary says in the foreword: "we propose to apply these changes to everyone in the country today who has not already received indefinite leave to remain... as soon as our immigration rules have changed".
Unless I'm missing something, further to the policy announcement this week a refugee who arrived irregularly could face a 30 year wait for settlement....
The UK government's proposals on changes to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) rules have now been published in a consultation paper, ahead of a statement from the Home Secretary to MPs shortly www.gov.uk/government/c...
Earned settlement
The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.
www.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Unless I'm missing something, further to the policy announcement this week a refugee who arrived irregularly could face a 30 year wait for settlement....
Reposted by Jon Featonby
• Statement from Secretary of State for Home Department Shabana Mahmood MP: A Fairer Pathway to Settlement.
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 AM
• Statement from Secretary of State for Home Department Shabana Mahmood MP: A Fairer Pathway to Settlement.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Worth remembering given the proposed ILR changes are going to be announced today. A "consultation" by the Home Office is usually 'this is what we want to do, how can we implement it?' rather than 'these are the various options we are thinking about, which do you prefer and why?'.
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Worth remembering given the proposed ILR changes are going to be announced today. A "consultation" by the Home Office is usually 'this is what we want to do, how can we implement it?' rather than 'these are the various options we are thinking about, which do you prefer and why?'.
The title of the statement has been updated to A Fairer Pathway to Settlement - which makes more sense given what has been being briefed
Oh great, there's going to be another ministerial statement in the Commons with the title "asylum policy". There are three urgent questions and the business statement beforehand, so will probably start around 1pm or so.
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The title of the statement has been updated to A Fairer Pathway to Settlement - which makes more sense given what has been being briefed
Oh great, there's going to be another ministerial statement in the Commons with the title "asylum policy". There are three urgent questions and the business statement beforehand, so will probably start around 1pm or so.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Oh great, there's going to be another ministerial statement in the Commons with the title "asylum policy". There are three urgent questions and the business statement beforehand, so will probably start around 1pm or so.
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 Jon Featonby
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 Jon Featonby
Andy Slaughter MP also comments on the asylum reforms: "The Home Secretary...promised that anyone affected by the new regime will get legal advice. She hasn't said how much or by whom—those are questions that the committee is writing to her to ask—but that's better than it is at the moment."
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Andy Slaughter MP also comments on the asylum reforms: "The Home Secretary...promised that anyone affected by the new regime will get legal advice. She hasn't said how much or by whom—those are questions that the committee is writing to her to ask—but that's better than it is at the moment."