Fiona Costello
@fionacostello.bsky.social
☘️ Migration/ EU / Brexit researcher @ University Cambridge. Visiting Lecturer ARU, EU law and Eng Legal Systems. Fellow @ St Edmund's College, Cambridge
Pinned
Fiona Costello
@fionacostello.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Sharing our book (with @cbarnard.bsky.social & Sarah Fraser Butlin) 👇 published in April this year. Discusses the experiences of low paid EU workers in the UK, pre & post Brexit and legal problems they face. Set in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. 50% discount code in post below too! (2)
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"Without these, the system risks creating constant administrative churn, expanding backlogs, heavier burdens on public services, and deep insecurity for refugees."
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposed reforms to the asylum system
🔗 https://ow.ly/uTBI50XY0UG
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposed reforms to the asylum system
🔗 https://ow.ly/uTBI50XY0UG
Can the system deliver on the government’s proposed reforms? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello explore whether it is possible to deliver the reforms to the asylum system proposed by the Labour government.
ow.ly
January 17, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"Without these, the system risks creating constant administrative churn, expanding backlogs, heavier burdens on public services, and deep insecurity for refugees."
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposed reforms to the asylum system
🔗 https://ow.ly/uTBI50XY0UG
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposed reforms to the asylum system
🔗 https://ow.ly/uTBI50XY0UG
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"By contrast, rapid processes introduced by the Sunak govt have not led to good decision-making and thus to a large number of (successful) appeals"
@cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposals to emulate the Danish asylum system
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
@cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposals to emulate the Danish asylum system
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
"By contrast, rapid processes introduced by the Sunak govt have not led to good decision-making and thus to a large number of (successful) appeals"
@cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposals to emulate the Danish asylum system
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
@cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposals to emulate the Danish asylum system
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the key question about the reforms"
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asylum-appeals-overhaul/
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asylum-appeals-overhaul/
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 11, 2026 at 8:15 AM
"Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the key question about the reforms"
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asylum-appeals-overhaul/
✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asylum-appeals-overhaul/
Reposted by Fiona Costello
📣 NEW EVENT 📣
🇬🇧 British politics has become increasingly volatile and more fragmented
To discuss the impact of the UK's changing political landscape, we're bringing together a panel of acacemics, pollsters and MPs
📆 Tues 20 Jan, 1pm GMT
Join us online 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
🇬🇧 British politics has become increasingly volatile and more fragmented
To discuss the impact of the UK's changing political landscape, we're bringing together a panel of acacemics, pollsters and MPs
📆 Tues 20 Jan, 1pm GMT
Join us online 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
UKICE Lunch Hour: Changing party politics in the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Join UK in a Chaging Europe online for a discussion on political fragmentation in the UK and what it means for our politics.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
📣 NEW EVENT 📣
🇬🇧 British politics has become increasingly volatile and more fragmented
To discuss the impact of the UK's changing political landscape, we're bringing together a panel of acacemics, pollsters and MPs
📆 Tues 20 Jan, 1pm GMT
Join us online 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
🇬🇧 British politics has become increasingly volatile and more fragmented
To discuss the impact of the UK's changing political landscape, we're bringing together a panel of acacemics, pollsters and MPs
📆 Tues 20 Jan, 1pm GMT
Join us online 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
Very thoughtful @ukandeu.bsky.social post by our Director Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social @fionacostello.bsky.social and Ali Ahmadi - 'Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the central question...'
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Very thoughtful @ukandeu.bsky.social post by our Director Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social @fionacostello.bsky.social and Ali Ahmadi - 'Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the central question...'
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the central question about the reforms"
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:39 PM
"Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the central question about the reforms"
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
What happens when you start with a hostile asylum system that sets people up to fail and then persistently degrade the legal aid system people depend on to accompany them through it, to put together the evidence in the framework of the law.
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
What happens when you start with a hostile asylum system that sets people up to fail and then persistently degrade the legal aid system people depend on to accompany them through it, to put together the evidence in the framework of the law.
Reposted by Fiona Costello
Please read Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social and @fionacostello.bsky.social's excellent @ukandeu.bsky.social Blog on Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - in my view, completely for the birds as the EU would go cold turkey on the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello examine Nigel Farage's proposal to scrap welfare benefit access for EU nationals living in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Please read Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social and @fionacostello.bsky.social's excellent @ukandeu.bsky.social Blog on Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - in my view, completely for the birds as the EU would go cold turkey on the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"Considering the implications of reneging on international agreements, a more efficient way to address the numbers of those claiming benefits under the EUSS is to look at low paid or atypical work contracts."
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello examine Nigel Farage's proposal to scrap welfare benefit access for EU nationals living in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
"Considering the implications of reneging on international agreements, a more efficient way to address the numbers of those claiming benefits under the EUSS is to look at low paid or atypical work contracts."
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
A new blog on Reform's proposals to scrap welfare benefits for EU nationals 👇👇
"Considering the implications of reneging on international agreements, a more efficient way to address the numbers of those claiming benefits under the EUSS is to look at low paid or atypical work contracts."
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello examine Nigel Farage's proposal to scrap welfare benefit access for EU nationals living in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:19 PM
A new blog on Reform's proposals to scrap welfare benefits for EU nationals 👇👇
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"Home Office data suggests that recent immigrants are more likely to be working than British nationals and make higher wages than them."
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Lower migration is bad news for the UK economy - UK in a changing Europe
Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out, and that the recent collapse in immigration will harm the UK's economic p...
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"Home Office data suggests that recent immigrants are more likely to be working than British nationals and make higher wages than them."
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
Jesus Christ. We go mad about one bloke we wrongly released, yet hear next to nothing about this horror? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
More than 50 child asylum seekers still missing after disappearing from Kent care
Council data obtained by the Guardian shows 345 children have gone missing in recent years, many probably taken by traffickers
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Jesus Christ. We go mad about one bloke we wrongly released, yet hear next to nothing about this horror? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
There is still time to join us next week - please register on our website - open to all. @cambridgelaw.bsky.social www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/press/events...
October 29, 2025 at 1:34 PM
There is still time to join us next week - please register on our website - open to all. @cambridgelaw.bsky.social www.cels.law.cam.ac.uk/press/events...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
📉 "Any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes."
🖊️ @jamesbowes01.bsky.social analyses the fall in net migration to the UK and the potential political and economic consequences
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
🖊️ @jamesbowes01.bsky.social analyses the fall in net migration to the UK and the potential political and economic consequences
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 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
📉 "Any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes."
🖊️ @jamesbowes01.bsky.social analyses the fall in net migration to the UK and the potential political and economic consequences
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
🖊️ @jamesbowes01.bsky.social analyses the fall in net migration to the UK and the potential political and economic consequences
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-coming-c...
New blog 👇👇
"UK rules discourage or prohibit refugees from travelling back to the country they have fled, with specifics varying by status and scheme."
🖊️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi ask can refugees visit their home countries?
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees-visit-their-home-country/
🖊️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi ask can refugees visit their home countries?
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees-visit-their-home-country/
Homeward bound: Can refugees visit their home country? - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello and Ali Ahmadi explain whether individuals granted refugee status in the UK can travel back to their home country
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 23, 2025 at 12:16 PM
New blog 👇👇
Reposted by Fiona Costello
A new @ukandeu.bsky.social blog on asylum by our Director Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social, Dres @fionacostello.bsky.social and @aliahmadi.bsky.social @cambridgelaw.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
Homeward bound: Can refugees visit their home country? - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello and Ali Ahmadi explain whether individuals granted refugee status in the UK can travel back to their home country
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
A new @ukandeu.bsky.social blog on asylum by our Director Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social, Dres @fionacostello.bsky.social and @aliahmadi.bsky.social @cambridgelaw.bsky.social
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
"UK rules discourage or prohibit refugees from travelling back to the country they have fled, with specifics varying by status and scheme."
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi explain whether refugees can visit their home countries
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi explain whether refugees can visit their home countries
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
Homeward bound: Can refugees visit their home country? - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello and Ali Ahmadi explain whether individuals granted refugee status in the UK can travel back to their home country
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
"UK rules discourage or prohibit refugees from travelling back to the country they have fled, with specifics varying by status and scheme."
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi explain whether refugees can visit their home countries
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi explain whether refugees can visit their home countries
ukandeu.ac.uk/can-refugees...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
Hi Bluesky. We’re Contemporary European Politics (CEP) a journal by Wiley & UACES, publishing cutting-edge research on the politics, governance & societies of Europe.
Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
October 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Hi Bluesky. We’re Contemporary European Politics (CEP) a journal by Wiley & UACES, publishing cutting-edge research on the politics, governance & societies of Europe.
Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
Reposted by Fiona Costello
UACES Virtual Conference Day is TOMORROW.
After an amazing week in Liverpool, we're continuing the research conversations online. Join us for flexible sessions across 14 panels covering everything from EU security to digital policy.
Liverpool attendees: check ConfTool for access links.
#UACES2025
After an amazing week in Liverpool, we're continuing the research conversations online. Join us for flexible sessions across 14 panels covering everything from EU security to digital policy.
Liverpool attendees: check ConfTool for access links.
#UACES2025
September 11, 2025 at 10:55 AM
UACES Virtual Conference Day is TOMORROW.
After an amazing week in Liverpool, we're continuing the research conversations online. Join us for flexible sessions across 14 panels covering everything from EU security to digital policy.
Liverpool attendees: check ConfTool for access links.
#UACES2025
After an amazing week in Liverpool, we're continuing the research conversations online. Join us for flexible sessions across 14 panels covering everything from EU security to digital policy.
Liverpool attendees: check ConfTool for access links.
#UACES2025
Reposted by Fiona Costello
🥳 Many congratulations to @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social and @sarahfraserbutlin.bsky.social - their book 'Low-Paid EU Migrant Workers: The House, The Street, The Town' won the @uaces.bsky.social Best Book Prize at the annual conference last week.
More: bit.ly/4nrPb8e
More: bit.ly/4nrPb8e
September 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM
🥳 Many congratulations to @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social and @sarahfraserbutlin.bsky.social - their book 'Low-Paid EU Migrant Workers: The House, The Street, The Town' won the @uaces.bsky.social Best Book Prize at the annual conference last week.
More: bit.ly/4nrPb8e
More: bit.ly/4nrPb8e
Reposted by Fiona Costello
NEW: An Oxford report warns that misleading media coverage is shaping public debate on immigration and human rights.
The study finds the ECHR is frequently misreported in deportation cases, fueling misconceptions that erode trust in the legal system.
🧵 [1/8]
The study finds the ECHR is frequently misreported in deportation cases, fueling misconceptions that erode trust in the legal system.
🧵 [1/8]
September 4, 2025 at 10:59 AM
NEW: An Oxford report warns that misleading media coverage is shaping public debate on immigration and human rights.
The study finds the ECHR is frequently misreported in deportation cases, fueling misconceptions that erode trust in the legal system.
🧵 [1/8]
The study finds the ECHR is frequently misreported in deportation cases, fueling misconceptions that erode trust in the legal system.
🧵 [1/8]
Reposted by Fiona Costello
The winners of this year’s UACES Best Book Award goes to @fionacostello.bsky.social, @cbarnard.bsky.social and @sarahfraserbutlin.bsky.social for: Low Paid EU Migrant Workers: the House, the Street, the Town.
We congratulate all three authors on this significant achievement.
We congratulate all three authors on this significant achievement.
September 2, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The winners of this year’s UACES Best Book Award goes to @fionacostello.bsky.social, @cbarnard.bsky.social and @sarahfraserbutlin.bsky.social for: Low Paid EU Migrant Workers: the House, the Street, the Town.
We congratulate all three authors on this significant achievement.
We congratulate all three authors on this significant achievement.
Reposted by Fiona Costello
Asylum applications in the UK hit a record high in 2024. Our updated briefing explores application numbers, grant rates, system costs, employment outcomes for people who came to the UK to seek asylum and much more. Check it out 👉 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
Asylum and refugee resettlement in the UK - Migration Observatory
This briefing sets out key facts and figures, as well as information gaps, relating to migration to the UK, specifically refugees and asylum seekers. It looks at overall numbers, characteristics of as...
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
August 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Asylum applications in the UK hit a record high in 2024. Our updated briefing explores application numbers, grant rates, system costs, employment outcomes for people who came to the UK to seek asylum and much more. Check it out 👉 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
After 1 year in government, has Labour made progress towards its goals on migration? We look at 5 pledges:
- Net migration↘️
- Work visas↘️
- Small boat arrivals ↗️
- Asylum backlog ↘️ but appeals backlog ↗️
- Returns↗️
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
- Net migration↘️
- Work visas↘️
- Small boat arrivals ↗️
- Asylum backlog ↘️ but appeals backlog ↗️
- Returns↗️
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
Labour’s pledges on migration, one year in: the data - Migration Observatory
This commentary examines the Labour government’s progress towards its goals on migration after a year in government.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
July 1, 2025 at 11:28 AM
After 1 year in government, has Labour made progress towards its goals on migration? We look at 5 pledges:
- Net migration↘️
- Work visas↘️
- Small boat arrivals ↗️
- Asylum backlog ↘️ but appeals backlog ↗️
- Returns↗️
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
- Net migration↘️
- Work visas↘️
- Small boat arrivals ↗️
- Asylum backlog ↘️ but appeals backlog ↗️
- Returns↗️
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
Reposted by Fiona Costello
Our #refugeeweek content so far.... First up, a long read by me about the rights of refugees under the Refugee Convention. These are both weaker in many ways yet stronger in others than many realise. They represent a compromise between individual and state rights. freemovement.org.uk/what-rights-...
Briefing: What rights do refugees have under the Refugee Convention? - Free Movement
Asylum lawyers like me tend to focus on just one clause of the Refugee Convention: the definition of a refugee. This is the gateway to formal recognition as a
freemovement.org.uk
June 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Our #refugeeweek content so far.... First up, a long read by me about the rights of refugees under the Refugee Convention. These are both weaker in many ways yet stronger in others than many realise. They represent a compromise between individual and state rights. freemovement.org.uk/what-rights-...