Colin Yeo
@colinyeo.bsky.social
Barrister, blogger and author of Welcome to Britain: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System. Fully updated paperback out now.
Pinned
Colin Yeo
@colinyeo.bsky.social
· Nov 12
An immigration lawyer reviews Paddington in Peru: A very British bear - Free Movement
They grow up so fast. As we will see, Paddington himself has almost certainly reached the age of ursine majority, whatever that might be. When I took my
freemovement.org.uk
“It isn’t unusual for a former asylum seeker like Paddington to become British. In fact, 70% of all refugees granted asylum over ten years ago ultimately went on to naturalise as British. What are the requirements that Paddington must have fulfilled?” freemovement.org.uk/an-immigrati...
Passport queue arriving at Krakow airport was nearly 3 hrs just now because of the new EU Entry/Exit System. Not much fun. Be prepared to wait if you are not EU and travelling to the EU, basically.
February 13, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Passport queue arriving at Krakow airport was nearly 3 hrs just now because of the new EU Entry/Exit System. Not much fun. Be prepared to wait if you are not EU and travelling to the EU, basically.
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Remigration by stealth?
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social examines the impact -intended otherwise - of the government's "earned settlement" proposals. Up to two million current UK residents could be affected.
The consultation closes tonight...
ukandeu.ac.uk/remigration-...
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social examines the impact -intended otherwise - of the government's "earned settlement" proposals. Up to two million current UK residents could be affected.
The consultation closes tonight...
ukandeu.ac.uk/remigration-...
Remigration by stealth? The government’s earned settlement proposals - UK in a changing Europe
James Bowes analyses the potential impact of the UK government's proposed changes to its settlement schemes to both new migrants and migrants already in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
February 13, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Remigration by stealth?
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social examines the impact -intended otherwise - of the government's "earned settlement" proposals. Up to two million current UK residents could be affected.
The consultation closes tonight...
ukandeu.ac.uk/remigration-...
@jamesbowes01.bsky.social examines the impact -intended otherwise - of the government's "earned settlement" proposals. Up to two million current UK residents could be affected.
The consultation closes tonight...
ukandeu.ac.uk/remigration-...
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Where do parents find the time to parent? Less sleep, work and screens.
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
February 13, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Where do parents find the time to parent? Less sleep, work and screens.
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
Amazing chart feat. in @alphaville.ft.com Further Reading.
homeeconomics.substack.com/p/where-do-p...
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Powerful piece by @andreaegangs.bsky.social. Under the new 'earned settlement' proposals, migrant workers are being punished for policies that they don’t control, including low wages, which are only low because the government refuses to fund care work properly. See the issue here?
Britain’s care system promotes modern slavery. A genuinely humane government would reform it | Andrea Egan, UNISON general secretary writes in @theguardian.com
unsn.uk/4kBe3Km
unsn.uk/4kBe3Km
Britain’s care system promotes modern slavery. A genuinely humane government would reform it | Andrea Egan
New proposals that would force poorly paid migrant workers to wait longer for earned settlement are nothing more than an assault on working-class people, says Unison’s general secretary Andrea Egan
unsn.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Powerful piece by @andreaegangs.bsky.social. Under the new 'earned settlement' proposals, migrant workers are being punished for policies that they don’t control, including low wages, which are only low because the government refuses to fund care work properly. See the issue here?
Reposted by Colin Yeo
1) Today (23:59) is the deadline for submitting responses to the Home Office "consultation" on their plans to make life a lot more difficult for foreigners living in the UK: www.gov.uk/government/c...
A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: statement and accompanying consultation on earned settlement (accessible)
www.gov.uk
February 12, 2026 at 11:01 AM
1) Today (23:59) is the deadline for submitting responses to the Home Office "consultation" on their plans to make life a lot more difficult for foreigners living in the UK: www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Colin Yeo
"The voter is always right.“
A 🧵 about a popular yet misleading sentence, the nature of representation, and a personal argument that got me thinking about (British) democracy.
A 🧵 about a popular yet misleading sentence, the nature of representation, and a personal argument that got me thinking about (British) democracy.
The art of politics is not to do what people think. If it was, there literally wouldn’t be any politics. The art of politics is to convert public opinion in the direction of your policies. Not so subordinate your policies to opinion.
February 12, 2026 at 1:36 PM
"The voter is always right.“
A 🧵 about a popular yet misleading sentence, the nature of representation, and a personal argument that got me thinking about (British) democracy.
A 🧵 about a popular yet misleading sentence, the nature of representation, and a personal argument that got me thinking about (British) democracy.
Reposted by Colin Yeo
The Government consultation on 'earned settlement' closes at midnight tonight. It takes ~10 minutes to respond to.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
Consultation — Praxis for Migrants and Refugees
www.praxis.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 12:55 PM
The Government consultation on 'earned settlement' closes at midnight tonight. It takes ~10 minutes to respond to.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
Reposted by Colin Yeo
If Starmer wants a reset - and not yet another U-turn when the parliamentary party balks at a policy - here is his chance.
300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
February 10, 2026 at 7:23 AM
If Starmer wants a reset - and not yet another U-turn when the parliamentary party balks at a policy - here is his chance.
Reposted by Colin Yeo
300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
February 10, 2026 at 5:43 AM
300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Policy by Pub Bore. He's just that spittle-flecked Hate Guy in the corner of your done-up bar saying that modern beer is horrible and anyone under 50 is lazy and a loser. As beatable a politician as there'll ever be.
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Policy by Pub Bore. He's just that spittle-flecked Hate Guy in the corner of your done-up bar saying that modern beer is horrible and anyone under 50 is lazy and a loser. As beatable a politician as there'll ever be.
Reposted by Colin Yeo
New analysis from @ippr.org shows the impact of the government's proposed 'earned settlement' policy on children
300,000+ children will face waits of 10yrs+ to get settled status, increasing risk of child poverty and trapping families in insecurity 👇
300,000+ children will face waits of 10yrs+ to get settled status, increasing risk of child poverty and trapping families in insecurity 👇
Over 300,000 children already living in the UK could face 5–10 extra years before they can settle permanently.
Changing the rules mid-journey will likely increase child poverty. Latest from us 🔗 www.ippr.org/articles/far-from-settled-the-governments-earned-settlement-consultation
Changing the rules mid-journey will likely increase child poverty. Latest from us 🔗 www.ippr.org/articles/far-from-settled-the-governments-earned-settlement-consultation
February 9, 2026 at 11:40 AM
New analysis from @ippr.org shows the impact of the government's proposed 'earned settlement' policy on children
300,000+ children will face waits of 10yrs+ to get settled status, increasing risk of child poverty and trapping families in insecurity 👇
300,000+ children will face waits of 10yrs+ to get settled status, increasing risk of child poverty and trapping families in insecurity 👇
Reposted by Colin Yeo
"From February 25th, all Irish nationals must have a passport to travel to the UK on Aer Lingus flights despite the long-standing Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement, the airline said" www.irishtimes.com/life-style/t...
Aer Lingus passengers flying from Ireland to UK require passport under rule change
Change to take effect from February 25th despite Common Travel Area measures
www.irishtimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:47 PM
"From February 25th, all Irish nationals must have a passport to travel to the UK on Aer Lingus flights despite the long-standing Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement, the airline said" www.irishtimes.com/life-style/t...
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Hate-filled fake videos about London are everywhere. We've obtained a recording of a TikToker confessing to secretly filming Londoners in their homes for clicks.
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
February 8, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Hate-filled fake videos about London are everywhere. We've obtained a recording of a TikToker confessing to secretly filming Londoners in their homes for clicks.
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
Reposted by Colin Yeo
I'd watch a muppet show movie where the muppets infiltrate an academic conference.
February 7, 2026 at 2:45 PM
I'd watch a muppet show movie where the muppets infiltrate an academic conference.
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Home Secretary confirms that the UK government did not formally trigger the break clause in the asylum seeker relocation treaty with Rwanda until Dec 2025. (Rwanda says that delay means the UK owes £100m in payments due under the treaty).
February 6, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Home Secretary confirms that the UK government did not formally trigger the break clause in the asylum seeker relocation treaty with Rwanda until Dec 2025. (Rwanda says that delay means the UK owes £100m in payments due under the treaty).
Reposted by Colin Yeo
There's no reason to accept this as normal, though. Much of Starmer and Labour's unpopularity is not misfortune but his own doing. Mandelson was a choice. Consistently pursuing policy positions designed to appeal to people who will not vote for you - and alienating core supporters - is a choice.
Starmer's reported condition - incredibly unpopular, shorn of authority, probably un-reelectable and yet will stagger on for want of an alternative - is just the new normal of how Britain is governed. It was also true for two-thirds of May's premiership, half of Johnson's and all of Sunak's.
February 6, 2026 at 11:48 AM
There's no reason to accept this as normal, though. Much of Starmer and Labour's unpopularity is not misfortune but his own doing. Mandelson was a choice. Consistently pursuing policy positions designed to appeal to people who will not vote for you - and alienating core supporters - is a choice.
Reposted by Colin Yeo
Direct quote from the Government's own child poverty strategy "We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable migrant children receive the support that they require, regardless of their immigration status."
"Are you worried that there will be an impact on child poverty?"
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
February 6, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Direct quote from the Government's own child poverty strategy "We are committed to ensuring that vulnerable migrant children receive the support that they require, regardless of their immigration status."
It's not that hard. We don't have to let workers or students come here in the first place - as long as we are willing to bear the economic, tax and other costs of not doing so. But if we do let them in, we should treat them decently. And their children!
Child poverty is the fault of the parents, says the Labour Home Secretary. Or the fault of the children for existing. I'm not sure but it seems to be one of the two.
"Are you worried that there will be an impact on child poverty?"
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
February 6, 2026 at 10:12 AM
It's not that hard. We don't have to let workers or students come here in the first place - as long as we are willing to bear the economic, tax and other costs of not doing so. But if we do let them in, we should treat them decently. And their children!
Reposted by Colin Yeo
A similar incoherent argument is made about deporting a parent. “They” should have thought about it. Who should have thought about it? The child? But they haven’t done anything wrong. So why should they be punished?
February 6, 2026 at 9:29 AM
A similar incoherent argument is made about deporting a parent. “They” should have thought about it. Who should have thought about it? The child? But they haven’t done anything wrong. So why should they be punished?
Reposted by Colin Yeo
This is why Shakespeare is the greatest genius who ever lived. And this is just from a few pages he wrote in someone else's play.
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 2:50 PM
This is why Shakespeare is the greatest genius who ever lived. And this is just from a few pages he wrote in someone else's play.
Child poverty is the fault of the parents, says the Labour Home Secretary. Or the fault of the children for existing. I'm not sure but it seems to be one of the two.
"Are you worried that there will be an impact on child poverty?"
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
February 5, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Child poverty is the fault of the parents, says the Labour Home Secretary. Or the fault of the children for existing. I'm not sure but it seems to be one of the two.
In case you missed it: Briefing: how to apply for a high potential individual visa | Nichola Carter
Briefing: how to apply for a high potential individual visa - Free Movement
The high potential individual visa is aimed at individuals who have recently graduated from a top global university. There is considerable international
freemovement.org.uk
February 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM
In case you missed it: Briefing: how to apply for a high potential individual visa | Nichola Carter
Reposted by Colin Yeo
My blog on this clash
www.britishfuture.org/pms-welcome-...
www.britishfuture.org/pms-welcome-...
PM’s welcome words on cohesion must be followed with national action - British Future
The PM has set out a vision for social cohesion. We now need to see a long-term plan to turn the vision into reality, writes Sunder Katwala.
www.britishfuture.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:05 PM
My blog on this clash
www.britishfuture.org/pms-welcome-...
www.britishfuture.org/pms-welcome-...
Incredible that the government can say all this yet also be pushing through immigration rule reforms that actively prevent migrants from being full or equal members of the community. Pride might well be necessary. So is equality. Labour used to know that.
The PM says he believes Britain is "stronger as a tolerant, decent and respectful country" while acknowledging that the country has been "undermined by those who seek to sow division". "Pride is the social glue, the force that holds together a community and a country", Starmer is to say (Sky News)
February 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Incredible that the government can say all this yet also be pushing through immigration rule reforms that actively prevent migrants from being full or equal members of the community. Pride might well be necessary. So is equality. Labour used to know that.
New from me about Labour's earned settlement proposals. wewantedworkers.substack.com/p/labours-ea...
February 5, 2026 at 11:05 AM
New from me about Labour's earned settlement proposals. wewantedworkers.substack.com/p/labours-ea...