Jill Rutter
@jillyrutter.bsky.social
Policy and programme adviser at Belong, the Cohesion and Integration Network. Associate fellow at British Future
Interests: employment, immigration, integration and cohesion policy, heritage, elections, Ukraine, textiles, ceramics.
Mum. Posts are personal
Interests: employment, immigration, integration and cohesion policy, heritage, elections, Ukraine, textiles, ceramics.
Mum. Posts are personal
Reposted by Jill Rutter
“The social media history that has emerged from Alaa abd El-Fattah is of profound concern... The cross-party campaign for such a person, and the warm welcome issued by the Government, demonstrate a broken system with an astonishing lack of due diligence by the authorities.”
– Adrian Cohen, SVP
– Adrian Cohen, SVP
December 28, 2025 at 9:58 AM
“The social media history that has emerged from Alaa abd El-Fattah is of profound concern... The cross-party campaign for such a person, and the warm welcome issued by the Government, demonstrate a broken system with an astonishing lack of due diligence by the authorities.”
– Adrian Cohen, SVP
– Adrian Cohen, SVP
But also some quite large differences in trust and perceptions of inter-group relations between different local authority areas.
2024-25 community life survey, which has a large sample of 175k, distributed at 500+ in each local authority area
The findings are stable year on year & reflect the themes of the State of Us
Generally high local belonging
Mixed trust
Varied civic participation
www.gov.uk/government/s...
The findings are stable year on year & reflect the themes of the State of Us
Generally high local belonging
Mixed trust
Varied civic participation
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Community Life Survey 2024/25: Headline findings
www.gov.uk
December 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
But also some quite large differences in trust and perceptions of inter-group relations between different local authority areas.
All great charities, but the work of @thelinkingnetwork.bsky.social & Who is Your Neighbour are particularly close to my heart. The Linking Network links schools across ethnic & class divides, and undertakes intergenerational linking. Who is Your Neighbour undertakes community dialogue in Yorkshire
‘We’re supporting grassroots charities, which, through their vital work in local neighbourhoods, nurture community and positive change, and provide a powerful antidote to polarisation, distrust and hate.’
A prescient and necessary campaign, well timed:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
A prescient and necessary campaign, well timed:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Communities are our defence against hatred. Now, more than ever, we must invest in hope
For this year’s Guardian charity appeal we are asking readers to donate to Citizens UK, The Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust and Who is Your Neighbour?
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
All great charities, but the work of @thelinkingnetwork.bsky.social & Who is Your Neighbour are particularly close to my heart. The Linking Network links schools across ethnic & class divides, and undertakes intergenerational linking. Who is Your Neighbour undertakes community dialogue in Yorkshire
At @britishfuture team meetings in the dark days of COVID we used to wear hats to keep up morale. A legacy of those days - for me - is an interest in millinery and I've just made my first hat. Lots of steam & stretching is involved; the process has barely changed in hundreds of years #BringBackHats
December 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
At @britishfuture team meetings in the dark days of COVID we used to wear hats to keep up morale. A legacy of those days - for me - is an interest in millinery and I've just made my first hat. Lots of steam & stretching is involved; the process has barely changed in hundreds of years #BringBackHats
Reposted by Jill Rutter
Is citizenship education up to scratch?
Last week we and @uclspp.bsky.social hosted Hattie Andrews @politicsproject.bsky.social, Emma Connolly @uclspeechlab.bsky.social and Hans Svennevig @citizenshippgceioe.bsky.social @ioe.bsky.social to discuss how the subject can be strengthened.
Watch 👇
Last week we and @uclspp.bsky.social hosted Hattie Andrews @politicsproject.bsky.social, Emma Connolly @uclspeechlab.bsky.social and Hans Svennevig @citizenshippgceioe.bsky.social @ioe.bsky.social to discuss how the subject can be strengthened.
Watch 👇
Votes at 16: Is Citizenship Education up to Scratch?
In July 2025, the UK government announced that the voting age would be lowered to 16. This reform, among others, aims to broaden the country’s democratic base and modernize the political system. Yet…
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Is citizenship education up to scratch?
Last week we and @uclspp.bsky.social hosted Hattie Andrews @politicsproject.bsky.social, Emma Connolly @uclspeechlab.bsky.social and Hans Svennevig @citizenshippgceioe.bsky.social @ioe.bsky.social to discuss how the subject can be strengthened.
Watch 👇
Last week we and @uclspp.bsky.social hosted Hattie Andrews @politicsproject.bsky.social, Emma Connolly @uclspeechlab.bsky.social and Hans Svennevig @citizenshippgceioe.bsky.social @ioe.bsky.social to discuss how the subject can be strengthened.
Watch 👇
The Home Office has released refugee employment statistics today, too. Important data, as the proposed Protection and Work and Study visa will reduce wait prior to settlement being granted. But employment rates for refugees are low and better employment support is needed.
November 27, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The Home Office has released refugee employment statistics today, too. Important data, as the proposed Protection and Work and Study visa will reduce wait prior to settlement being granted. But employment rates for refugees are low and better employment support is needed.
We mustn't forget the capacity of football to bridge divides in Israel. There are many sports-based peace initiatives in Israel eg Football for Peace. Hapoel Tel Aviv has had Israeli Arab players throughout its history & has a large Israeli Arab fanbase
This doesn't deny racism in Israeli football
This doesn't deny racism in Israeli football
The Tel Aviv derby between Maccabi and Hapoel could not be played today in Tel Aviv as the Israeli fans injured rival fans and the police. The game was abandoned at half-time in January. The Israeli police & authorities have struggled to contain the conduct of fans
www.jpost.com/israel-news/...
www.jpost.com/israel-news/...
Bloomfield chaos forces suspension of Tel Aviv derby | The Jerusalem Post
The decision to suspend the Tel Aviv derby came after extensive use of pyrotechnics by fans led to injuries among both supporters and police officers.
www.jpost.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
We mustn't forget the capacity of football to bridge divides in Israel. There are many sports-based peace initiatives in Israel eg Football for Peace. Hapoel Tel Aviv has had Israeli Arab players throughout its history & has a large Israeli Arab fanbase
This doesn't deny racism in Israeli football
This doesn't deny racism in Israeli football
Reposted by Jill Rutter
Two years after 7 October and the kidnap of my parents, hate is in fashion. For all our sakes, we need compassion | Sharone Lifschitz
Two years after 7 October and the kidnap of my parents, hate is in fashion. For all our sakes, we need compassion | Sharone Lifschitz
So many were killed – yet on her release, my mother said ‘shalom’ to her captors. Let’s learn from that moment of grace, says Sharone Lifschitz, London-based film-maker and academic
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Two years after 7 October and the kidnap of my parents, hate is in fashion. For all our sakes, we need compassion | Sharone Lifschitz
Reposted by Jill Rutter
"Are you representing an organisation here?", I asked a Muslim attendee. “I’m here as a Mancunian mate,’ he replied. “That’s what I’m representing.”
Our Avaes Mohammad's reflections from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack.
www.britishfuture.org/im-here-as-a...
Our Avaes Mohammad's reflections from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack.
www.britishfuture.org/im-here-as-a...
"I'm here as a Mancunian – that's what I'm representing" - British Future
British Future's Avaes Mohammad reports from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack.
www.britishfuture.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:22 AM
"Are you representing an organisation here?", I asked a Muslim attendee. “I’m here as a Mancunian mate,’ he replied. “That’s what I’m representing.”
Our Avaes Mohammad's reflections from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack.
www.britishfuture.org/im-here-as-a...
Our Avaes Mohammad's reflections from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack.
www.britishfuture.org/im-here-as-a...
Labour's post-conference bounce benefits Reform and the Greens
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 34% (+2)
LAB: 21% (-1)
CON: 16% (-1)
LDM: 12% (-2)
GRN: 10% (+3)
SNP: 2% (-1)
Via @opiniumresearch.bsky.social, 1-3 Oct.
Changes w/ 24-26 Sep.
RFM: 34% (+2)
LAB: 21% (-1)
CON: 16% (-1)
LDM: 12% (-2)
GRN: 10% (+3)
SNP: 2% (-1)
Via @opiniumresearch.bsky.social, 1-3 Oct.
Changes w/ 24-26 Sep.
October 5, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Labour's post-conference bounce benefits Reform and the Greens
Hollow words when almost every weekend in London protestors shout 'globalise the intifada' and 'Khaybar, Khaybar ya yahud' and nothing is done by your police to address antisemitism and extremism.
My thoughts are with everyone affected by the attack in Greater Manchester today.
October 2, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Hollow words when almost every weekend in London protestors shout 'globalise the intifada' and 'Khaybar, Khaybar ya yahud' and nothing is done by your police to address antisemitism and extremism.
Reposted by Jill Rutter
Great to see Lisa Nandy announce a new ‘Town of culture’ competition - something British Future’s been calling for since our 2019 ‘Crossing Divides’ report by @sundersays.bsky.social @jillyrutter.bsky.social.
Culture’s not just for cities!
www.britishfuture.org/publication/...
#LPC25
Culture’s not just for cities!
www.britishfuture.org/publication/...
#LPC25
September 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Great to see Lisa Nandy announce a new ‘Town of culture’ competition - something British Future’s been calling for since our 2019 ‘Crossing Divides’ report by @sundersays.bsky.social @jillyrutter.bsky.social.
Culture’s not just for cities!
www.britishfuture.org/publication/...
#LPC25
Culture’s not just for cities!
www.britishfuture.org/publication/...
#LPC25
I also think the Government has made a big mistake in pushing this through when trust in democratic institutions is so low. As of 10.40 this morning 1.7 million people have now signed the parliamentary petition opposing digital ID card.
Arguments for digital ID include faster, streamlined verification. But the Government's main argument is that it reduces unauthorised migration. Yet there's no evidence from outside the UK that it does this. This false promise means I DON'T support digital ID
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
September 27, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I also think the Government has made a big mistake in pushing this through when trust in democratic institutions is so low. As of 10.40 this morning 1.7 million people have now signed the parliamentary petition opposing digital ID card.
Arguments for digital ID include faster, streamlined verification. But the Government's main argument is that it reduces unauthorised migration. Yet there's no evidence from outside the UK that it does this. This false promise means I DON'T support digital ID
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
September 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Arguments for digital ID include faster, streamlined verification. But the Government's main argument is that it reduces unauthorised migration. Yet there's no evidence from outside the UK that it does this. This false promise means I DON'T support digital ID
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Reposted by Jill Rutter
After years of making the running on immigration, Farage may this week have handed the initiative back to his opponents'. @robfordmancs.bsky.social for @ukandeu.bsky.social on the unpopularity of Reform's proposals on ILR ukandeu.ac.uk/reforms-radi...
September 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM
After years of making the running on immigration, Farage may this week have handed the initiative back to his opponents'. @robfordmancs.bsky.social for @ukandeu.bsky.social on the unpopularity of Reform's proposals on ILR ukandeu.ac.uk/reforms-radi...
Reposted by Jill Rutter
18 September 1932 | A French Jewish girl, Rosa Farber, was born in Paris.
On her 10th birthday, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The first two gas chambers of Birkenau - Bunkers I & II: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
On her 10th birthday, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The first two gas chambers of Birkenau - Bunkers I & II: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
September 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
18 September 1932 | A French Jewish girl, Rosa Farber, was born in Paris.
On her 10th birthday, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The first two gas chambers of Birkenau - Bunkers I & II: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
On her 10th birthday, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The first two gas chambers of Birkenau - Bunkers I & II: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
Most councils are taking a sensible approach to flags. They ate discouraging painting on roundabouts and building on grounds of safety/vandalism but keeping up the flags. Councils are also talking to residents on this issue.
I endorse this message. Well said @markfergusonmp.bsky.social on why the fabric of the flag should be something to unite, not divide
This is my flag.
August 29, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Most councils are taking a sensible approach to flags. They ate discouraging painting on roundabouts and building on grounds of safety/vandalism but keeping up the flags. Councils are also talking to residents on this issue.
Asylum protests have now taken place or are planned at 62 locations. With the exception of Epping and Norwich, (Bowthorpe) where a more local people are involved, most protests were small last weekend, c20-100 people.
Most people who feel frustrated/angry about asylum policy don't attend protests.
Most people who feel frustrated/angry about asylum policy don't attend protests.
It is clearly the case that asylum protests were smaller this weekend than the small over-hyped protests on August 8th, and smaller than in the second half of July.
No broadcast outlet has accurately conveyed that + asked why: they have explicitly stated and inferred growing protests
No broadcast outlet has accurately conveyed that + asked why: they have explicitly stated and inferred growing protests
August 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Asylum protests have now taken place or are planned at 62 locations. With the exception of Epping and Norwich, (Bowthorpe) where a more local people are involved, most protests were small last weekend, c20-100 people.
Most people who feel frustrated/angry about asylum policy don't attend protests.
Most people who feel frustrated/angry about asylum policy don't attend protests.
This weekend's protests are smaller, even in places such as Nuneaton. Also, fewer women in pink and a bigger proportion of outside activists. I did some interviews in Horley: while there is opposition to the hotels, people's concerns about potential violence stops them going to the protests.
The Express leads the website on "fresh chaos" at protests, referencing some "pushing and shoving" in Bristol yesterday
Today they have a livestream of almost nobody in Canary Wharf, growing to 20, and "30-40 people shout at a window" in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham to back that up
Today they have a livestream of almost nobody in Canary Wharf, growing to 20, and "30-40 people shout at a window" in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham to back that up
August 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This weekend's protests are smaller, even in places such as Nuneaton. Also, fewer women in pink and a bigger proportion of outside activists. I did some interviews in Horley: while there is opposition to the hotels, people's concerns about potential violence stops them going to the protests.
Winning an appeal would help the Government deal with housing challenges, but there could be big impacts for community cohesion in this current febrile climate. The Epping protectors would certainly be vocal.
Home Office seeks to appeal court ruling re asylum-seekers in Epping hotel
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government seeks to appeal Epping asylum hotel legal ruling
The High Court refused a last-minute request by the Home Office to intervene in the Epping asylum hotel case.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Winning an appeal would help the Government deal with housing challenges, but there could be big impacts for community cohesion in this current febrile climate. The Epping protectors would certainly be vocal.
This is a good blog in Eastern Eye about rising racism and what is a legitimate concern.
On the anniversary of the August 7th counter-protests, I've written about several recent calls to deport or disenfranchise ethnic & faith minorities, settled migrants + naturalised citizens. Is it time to talk about legitimate concerns about legitimising racism?
www.easterneye.biz/british-ethn...
www.easterneye.biz/british-ethn...
Are the legitimate concerns of ethnic minorities about racism being ignored?
'Politicians must not ignore threats to racial equality today'
www.easterneye.biz
August 21, 2025 at 12:19 PM
This is a good blog in Eastern Eye about rising racism and what is a legitimate concern.
From Jan-Jun 2025, there were 19,982 small-boat arrivals to the UK. Some 65% were males aged 18-39 years. Top five countries of origin for boat arrivals were Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Syria and Sudan - all countries with poor human rights records and high refugee recognition rates.
Home office statistics for year to June 2025
Visas are 852k in 2024-25
(Peaked 1.4 million in 2023)
Year in year
Work visas down 36%
[21k health/care visas; peaked 200k]
Study visas down 4%
Study dependent visas down 81%
Family visas down 23%
Asylum claims up 14%
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Visas are 852k in 2024-25
(Peaked 1.4 million in 2023)
Year in year
Work visas down 36%
[21k health/care visas; peaked 200k]
Study visas down 4%
Study dependent visas down 81%
Family visas down 23%
Asylum claims up 14%
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Summary of latest statistics
www.gov.uk
August 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
From Jan-Jun 2025, there were 19,982 small-boat arrivals to the UK. Some 65% were males aged 18-39 years. Top five countries of origin for boat arrivals were Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Syria and Sudan - all countries with poor human rights records and high refugee recognition rates.
This suggestion leaves large group sites eg RAF Wethersfield, as the only housing option, unless the Government opens refugee camps. Leaving people homeless and on the streets is also highly undesirable - for asylum seekers themselves and for wider community cohesion.
The Conservative Opposition appear to be asking the government to guarantee it will remove asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel without housing them anywhere else
NEW: The Conservatives have written to the Home Secretary asking her to rule out moving asylum seekers to housing needed by locals.
…”that none of the illegal immigrants currently in the Bell Hotel will be moved into hotels, HMOs, apartments, or social housing which are needed for British people.”
…”that none of the illegal immigrants currently in the Bell Hotel will be moved into hotels, HMOs, apartments, or social housing which are needed for British people.”
August 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
This suggestion leaves large group sites eg RAF Wethersfield, as the only housing option, unless the Government opens refugee camps. Leaving people homeless and on the streets is also highly undesirable - for asylum seekers themselves and for wider community cohesion.
There have been protests in 36 different locations in the last 2 weeks involving c4,500 people. All but 4 protests have been small - <100 people & far-right organised. They have been larger and have involved more local people where triggered by a rape or assault: Nuneaton, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Epping
Our associate @jillyrutter.bsky.social is tracking the pattern of arrests & significant protests 2025 including the contrast/overlap with disorder & riots 2024 if anybody is looking to report on or analyse this
www.britishfuture.org/publication/...
www.britishfuture.org/publication/...
The State of Us: Community strength and cohesion in the UK - British Future
A snapshot of the state of cohesion and community strength in the UK, detailing a worrying combination of social tensions and grievances.
www.britishfuture.org
August 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
There have been protests in 36 different locations in the last 2 weeks involving c4,500 people. All but 4 protests have been small - <100 people & far-right organised. They have been larger and have involved more local people where triggered by a rape or assault: Nuneaton, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Epping
Dave Rich's substack which calls for an end to the suffering in Gaza, the return of the hostages and a viable peace @daverich1.bsky.social
Desperate times open.substack.com/pub/everyday...
Desperate times open.substack.com/pub/everyday...
Desperate times
I wrote in May about the growing split between the Israeli government and the Israeli people about the continuation of the war in Gaza, and about the difficulty for Jews in the diaspora to express con...
open.substack.com
July 26, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Dave Rich's substack which calls for an end to the suffering in Gaza, the return of the hostages and a viable peace @daverich1.bsky.social
Desperate times open.substack.com/pub/everyday...
Desperate times open.substack.com/pub/everyday...