Nicola Kelly
@nicolakellywrites.bsky.social
Journalist. Used to work for the Home Office, now report on it. 'Anywhere But Here', my book on the small boats crisis, out now.
Enquiries via IG DM @nicolakellywrites.
https://linktr.ee/nicolakellywrites
Enquiries via IG DM @nicolakellywrites.
https://linktr.ee/nicolakellywrites
Pinned
My book, 'Anywhere But Here', is finished! It will take you inside the Home Office and behind the scenes of the small boats crisis for the first time.
You can pre-order from
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
You can pre-order from
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
We're so lucky they're here
What a week in hospital taught me
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
My dad is also in hospital at the minute. The nursing staff are all amazing caring people, who I hope stay here forever, wherever they are from - we are so lucky to have them, and my dad is still with us because of their care.
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
My dad is also in hospital at the minute. The nursing staff are all amazing caring people, who I hope stay here forever, wherever they are from - we are so lucky to have them, and my dad is still with us because of their care.
We're so lucky they're here
What a week in hospital taught me
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A huge loss to the sector. @enversol.bsky.social @refugeecouncil.bsky.social has been a titan in these troubled times.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
‘We thought the Rwanda scheme was the worst of it’: Enver Solomon on leading – and leaving – the Refugee Council
It has been a difficult week for those working with refugees and migrants in the UK, after Labour announced controversial new plans. Sadly, Solomon is used to such turmoil. He discusses hostility, hop...
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A huge loss to the sector. @enversol.bsky.social @refugeecouncil.bsky.social has been a titan in these troubled times.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
*Please don't call*
I have had a number of interview requests about the asylum changes. I am dealing with a family emergency and am not at my desk. I cannot respond to messages.
I have had a number of interview requests about the asylum changes. I am dealing with a family emergency and am not at my desk. I cannot respond to messages.
November 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
*Please don't call*
I have had a number of interview requests about the asylum changes. I am dealing with a family emergency and am not at my desk. I cannot respond to messages.
I have had a number of interview requests about the asylum changes. I am dealing with a family emergency and am not at my desk. I cannot respond to messages.
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
"When the British government recently announced its plan to emulate Denmark’s asylum and immigration system, it framed the move as a way to restore fairness and regain control. But [...] the move raises serious ethical — and practical — questions."
theconversation.com/why-the-uk-s...
theconversation.com/why-the-uk-s...
Why the UK should think twice before copying Denmark’s asylum policies
A migration researcher based in Denmark explains the downsides of its “zero asylum” policy and returns system.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:44 AM
"When the British government recently announced its plan to emulate Denmark’s asylum and immigration system, it framed the move as a way to restore fairness and regain control. But [...] the move raises serious ethical — and practical — questions."
theconversation.com/why-the-uk-s...
theconversation.com/why-the-uk-s...
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
"Good news, bad news" situation. It's actually good the Home Office won this one. Alternative was a raft of councils closing hotels with no suitable alternatives, meaning people were either made homeless or put in camps. Bad news, still no suitable alternatives. 1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Epping hotel must continue housing asylum seekers, judge rules
A council has lost its legal battle with the government in a landmark High Court ruling.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"Good news, bad news" situation. It's actually good the Home Office won this one. Alternative was a raft of councils closing hotels with no suitable alternatives, meaning people were either made homeless or put in camps. Bad news, still no suitable alternatives. 1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
The Telegraph had to correct its multiple lies about "illegal immigrants" in London at least three separate times.
It takes an obscene amount of hubris to lecture the BBC when you have The Telegraph’s record on truth-telling.
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
The Telegraph’s BBC hypocrisy
A paper that knows a thing or two about editorial f*ck-ups...
writesbright.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The Telegraph had to correct its multiple lies about "illegal immigrants" in London at least three separate times.
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
Thank you, Lyse, for recommending 'Anywhere But Here'.
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
November 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Thank you, Lyse, for recommending 'Anywhere But Here'.
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
Thank you, Lyse, for recommending 'Anywhere But Here'.
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
November 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Thank you, Lyse, for recommending 'Anywhere But Here'.
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
You can buy it here:
Waterstones: bit.ly/4gBxHTV
Foyles: tinyurl.com/3n7p3w3h
Amazon: amzn.to/3XuF7Q8
A wave from Brussels, my diplomatic home for nearly three years, where everyone keeps asking me why Britain would want to commit another act of self-harm by withdrawing from the ECHR. It's viewed so differently here.
November 6, 2025 at 7:39 AM
A wave from Brussels, my diplomatic home for nearly three years, where everyone keeps asking me why Britain would want to commit another act of self-harm by withdrawing from the ECHR. It's viewed so differently here.
🔴The last year has been wild. Here's what I've learned.
(And there's a special offer to mark the one year anniversary of my newsletter.)
Subscribe below. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
(And there's a special offer to mark the one year anniversary of my newsletter.)
Subscribe below. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Bright Lights
Reflections on a bookish year
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
🔴The last year has been wild. Here's what I've learned.
(And there's a special offer to mark the one year anniversary of my newsletter.)
Subscribe below. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
(And there's a special offer to mark the one year anniversary of my newsletter.)
Subscribe below. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
How low will it go?
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social's detailed analysis projects net migration will collapse: from its peak of nearly a million to perhaps just over 100K in 2026.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social's detailed analysis projects net migration will collapse: from its peak of nearly a million to perhaps just over 100K in 2026.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
The coming collapse in immigration to the United Kingdom - UK in a changing Europe
James Bowes analyses the fall in net migration to the UK as a result of government policies and explores some of the political and economic consequences.
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 9:03 AM
How low will it go?
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social's detailed analysis projects net migration will collapse: from its peak of nearly a million to perhaps just over 100K in 2026.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social's detailed analysis projects net migration will collapse: from its peak of nearly a million to perhaps just over 100K in 2026.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
MSF, which ran clinics for those at Wethersfield camp until recently:
"Over 60% of our patients there experienced severe mental distress and nearly a third reported suicidal thoughts."
"Over 60% of our patients there experienced severe mental distress and nearly a third reported suicidal thoughts."
October 28, 2025 at 11:23 AM
MSF, which ran clinics for those at Wethersfield camp until recently:
"Over 60% of our patients there experienced severe mental distress and nearly a third reported suicidal thoughts."
"Over 60% of our patients there experienced severe mental distress and nearly a third reported suicidal thoughts."
Around 900 men are expected to be moved to military bases in Inverness and Sussex by the end of the year.
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Two military sites earmarked as asylum seeker accommodation
Housing asylum seekers in hotels has cost billions, while they have also become a focal point for protests.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Around 900 men are expected to be moved to military bases in Inverness and Sussex by the end of the year.
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The use of large sites has been described as a "sleeper issue", likely to inflame tensions with local communities.
And all to close four or five hotels.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
🔴Asylum hotels are in nobody's interests. They're bad for new arrivals, bad for local communities - and it's not a great look for the government, either.
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Why can't the government close the hotels?
I hear the hares are running inside the Home Office today.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🔴Asylum hotels are in nobody's interests. They're bad for new arrivals, bad for local communities - and it's not a great look for the government, either.
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Fascinating. Germany typically takes triple the number of asylum seekers the UK does but they manage the system well so there isn't so much waste or profiteering. An example of how Britain could do things...
good column. I volunteer at a reception centre (former hotel) in Germany. There's a lot of marble around, but it's really just a functional place for 650 people to live. It works well, because the asylum claim assessment, the language-teaching, the job training all work well. Also: not outsourced.
October 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Fascinating. Germany typically takes triple the number of asylum seekers the UK does but they manage the system well so there isn't so much waste or profiteering. An example of how Britain could do things...
🔴Asylum hotels are in nobody's interests. They're bad for new arrivals, bad for local communities - and it's not a great look for the government, either.
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Why can't the government close the hotels?
I hear the hares are running inside the Home Office today.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🔴Asylum hotels are in nobody's interests. They're bad for new arrivals, bad for local communities - and it's not a great look for the government, either.
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
So why, when it's costing £15 billion, can't they just get on with it and close them? My thoughts.👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
The select committee report on the asylum hotel shambles highlights a point I made repeatedly - the absurd gimicks pursued by the last govt like Rwanda took resources away from running the actual system properly.
October 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
The select committee report on the asylum hotel shambles highlights a point I made repeatedly - the absurd gimicks pursued by the last govt like Rwanda took resources away from running the actual system properly.
What gets me about the Kebatu case is that he's being described as a dangerous individual on the run when in fact he was a confused man (yes, a convicted one) with nowhere to go. He wanted to be deported back to Ethiopia and had asked when it would happen. Then he was released and a 'manhunt' ensued
It keeps getting worse for the HMP Chelmsford authorities.
Kebatu went back there four or five times and attempted to hand himself in, knowing he would be deported. The authorities sent him away, telling him he had been released.
Kebatu went back there four or five times and attempted to hand himself in, knowing he would be deported. The authorities sent him away, telling him he had been released.
October 26, 2025 at 10:13 AM
What gets me about the Kebatu case is that he's being described as a dangerous individual on the run when in fact he was a confused man (yes, a convicted one) with nowhere to go. He wanted to be deported back to Ethiopia and had asked when it would happen. Then he was released and a 'manhunt' ensued
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
Among other issues, this really wakes people up to how people are released from prison with no where to go. They’re just told to leave, even if they have no one meeting them, no home to go to, no safety net. I don’t think many people realise this.
October 26, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Among other issues, this really wakes people up to how people are released from prison with no where to go. They’re just told to leave, even if they have no one meeting them, no home to go to, no safety net. I don’t think many people realise this.
It keeps getting worse for the HMP Chelmsford authorities.
Kebatu went back there four or five times and attempted to hand himself in, knowing he would be deported. The authorities sent him away, telling him he had been released.
Kebatu went back there four or five times and attempted to hand himself in, knowing he would be deported. The authorities sent him away, telling him he had been released.
October 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
It keeps getting worse for the HMP Chelmsford authorities.
Kebatu went back there four or five times and attempted to hand himself in, knowing he would be deported. The authorities sent him away, telling him he had been released.
Kebatu went back there four or five times and attempted to hand himself in, knowing he would be deported. The authorities sent him away, telling him he had been released.
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
Recent events have shown how deeply flawed a politician Nigel Farage really is.
It's time for his opponents to stop being so afraid and finally start taking him on.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-to-def...
It's time for his opponents to stop being so afraid and finally start taking him on.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-to-def...
How to Defeat Nigel Farage
The Reform leader is a deeply flawed politician who is leading an even more flawed political party. It's time for his opponents to finally start taking him on
www.adambienkov.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Recent events have shown how deeply flawed a politician Nigel Farage really is.
It's time for his opponents to stop being so afraid and finally start taking him on.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-to-def...
It's time for his opponents to stop being so afraid and finally start taking him on.
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/how-to-def...
Reposted by Nicola Kelly
🔴Language matters. Rather than 'migrants', why don't we just call them 'people'?
Some thoughts on how we can do better. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Some thoughts on how we can do better. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Why don't we call them people?
On how the media covers migration
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
🔴Language matters. Rather than 'migrants', why don't we just call them 'people'?
Some thoughts on how we can do better. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
Some thoughts on how we can do better. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
One in, one out, one in again. It is demonstrably not a success for either the government or the man who has had to risk his life twice because of this ridiculous scheme.
That's some spin from Lammy. Not only does someone having to make another channel crossing, particularly due to their expressed fear of being trafficked, show how inhumane and pointless the policy is, it shows how it risks creating a never ending cycle of people forced into using irregular routes.
October 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
One in, one out, one in again. It is demonstrably not a success for either the government or the man who has had to risk his life twice because of this ridiculous scheme.