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.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Reposted by Jon Featonby
New from FM: First-tier Tribunal appeal receipts up 123% in a year, amid continuing concerns about Home Office decision making | Sonia Lenegan
First-tier Tribunal appeal receipts up 123% in a year, amid continuing concerns about Home Office decision making - Free Movement
In July to September this year, the number of appeals received by the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) increased by 123%, to 30,000,
freemovement.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
New from FM: First-tier Tribunal appeal receipts up 123% in a year, amid continuing concerns about Home Office decision making | Sonia Lenegan
70,000 cases is roughly 90,000 people - some of whom will be stuck in asylum accommodation while waiting for their appeal to be processed. Taking into account withdrawals, around 6 in 10 appeals are now successful.
Big jump in outstanding asylum appeals - nearly 70,000 waiting to be heard at the end of September. More than the initial decisions backlog. 60 weeks the average time to disposal.
37% of disposals now due to withdrawals - presumably as the Home Office realises how bad the decisions were.
37% of disposals now due to withdrawals - presumably as the Home Office realises how bad the decisions were.
December 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
70,000 cases is roughly 90,000 people - some of whom will be stuck in asylum accommodation while waiting for their appeal to be processed. Taking into account withdrawals, around 6 in 10 appeals are now successful.
Big jump in outstanding asylum appeals - nearly 70,000 waiting to be heard at the end of September. More than the initial decisions backlog. 60 weeks the average time to disposal.
37% of disposals now due to withdrawals - presumably as the Home Office realises how bad the decisions were.
37% of disposals now due to withdrawals - presumably as the Home Office realises how bad the decisions were.
December 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Big jump in outstanding asylum appeals - nearly 70,000 waiting to be heard at the end of September. More than the initial decisions backlog. 60 weeks the average time to disposal.
37% of disposals now due to withdrawals - presumably as the Home Office realises how bad the decisions were.
37% of disposals now due to withdrawals - presumably as the Home Office realises how bad the decisions were.
The quarterly tribunal statistics are due out at 9.30am - these should give an update on the number of asylum appeals that were waiting to be decided at the end of September. Expecting it to be at least 10,000 more than at the end of March, when it was just under 51,000.
December 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The quarterly tribunal statistics are due out at 9.30am - these should give an update on the number of asylum appeals that were waiting to be decided at the end of September. Expecting it to be at least 10,000 more than at the end of March, when it was just under 51,000.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
🔴NEW🔴
Changes to family reunion rules mean "new level of cruelty" for refugee families, experts warn.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/uk-govern...
@opendemocracy.net
Changes to family reunion rules mean "new level of cruelty" for refugee families, experts warn.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/uk-govern...
@opendemocracy.net
UK asylum proposals add ‘new layer of cruelty’, expert warns
The decision to end the automatic right to family reunion will intensify vulnerable refugees’ trauma and suffering
www.opendemocracy.net
December 11, 2025 at 8:56 AM
🔴NEW🔴
Changes to family reunion rules mean "new level of cruelty" for refugee families, experts warn.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/uk-govern...
@opendemocracy.net
Changes to family reunion rules mean "new level of cruelty" for refugee families, experts warn.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/uk-govern...
@opendemocracy.net
Great to see a former Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in the UK and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees (and my old boss) Sarah Teather joining the Lords
I’m thrilled to welcome Sarah Teather, Mike Dixon and Rhiannon Leaman to join our brilliant Liberal Democrat team in the House of Lords.
They are passionate campaigners who will continue fighting for the change our country needs, including reform of the House of Lords.
They are passionate campaigners who will continue fighting for the change our country needs, including reform of the House of Lords.
December 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Great to see a former Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in the UK and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees (and my old boss) Sarah Teather joining the Lords
Reposted by Jon Featonby
“Without certainty from yourself we are unable to accept your fear of return to your country as you are unable to be sure the fear on return from [persecutor] is a valid reason for fearing return to [country].”
Actual sentence from asylum refusal letter.
Actual sentence from asylum refusal letter.
December 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“Without certainty from yourself we are unable to accept your fear of return to your country as you are unable to be sure the fear on return from [persecutor] is a valid reason for fearing return to [country].”
Actual sentence from asylum refusal letter.
Actual sentence from asylum refusal letter.
According to an answer to a question from @sianberry.bsky.social, "Successfully integrating refugees remains a key Government priority." Then why make refugees wait up to 20 years for settlement while making it clear that protection is temporary? questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
According to an answer to a question from @sianberry.bsky.social, "Successfully integrating refugees remains a key Government priority." Then why make refugees wait up to 20 years for settlement while making it clear that protection is temporary? questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Cost of acquiring Nauru citizenship start from $105k and it apparently takes just 3-4 months. Here's how one legal firm sells it:
December 9, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Cost of acquiring Nauru citizenship start from $105k and it apparently takes just 3-4 months. Here's how one legal firm sells it:
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Visa requirement imposed on Nauru nationals because of country's decision to introduce a citizenship by investment programme. questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
December 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Visa requirement imposed on Nauru nationals because of country's decision to introduce a citizenship by investment programme. questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Who had a new visa requirement for visitors from Nauru? (although not, it seems, for the usual reasons of a small increase in asylum applications) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
December 9, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Who had a new visa requirement for visitors from Nauru? (although not, it seems, for the usual reasons of a small increase in asylum applications) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
There’s a statement of changes to the immigration rules down on the House of Commons order paper for today commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/100...
December 9, 2025 at 6:22 AM
There’s a statement of changes to the immigration rules down on the House of Commons order paper for today commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/100...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
The deal builds on a March 2025 Commission proposal to boost low EU return rates.
It features:
👉Obligations for those who are staying without a residence
👉Enabling return hubs
👉Imposing a system of detention & entry ban
👉Mutual recognition of return decisions
👉European return order (ERO)
It features:
👉Obligations for those who are staying without a residence
👉Enabling return hubs
👉Imposing a system of detention & entry ban
👉Mutual recognition of return decisions
👉European return order (ERO)
December 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The deal builds on a March 2025 Commission proposal to boost low EU return rates.
It features:
👉Obligations for those who are staying without a residence
👉Enabling return hubs
👉Imposing a system of detention & entry ban
👉Mutual recognition of return decisions
👉European return order (ERO)
It features:
👉Obligations for those who are staying without a residence
👉Enabling return hubs
👉Imposing a system of detention & entry ban
👉Mutual recognition of return decisions
👉European return order (ERO)
Reposted by Jon Featonby
🧵Today, the Council of the EU reached a deal on a new regulation establishing a common system for returns.
Council clinches deal on EU law about returns of illegally staying third-country nationals
The Council reached its position on a regulation for a common European returns system.
www.consilium.europa.eu
December 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
🧵Today, the Council of the EU reached a deal on a new regulation establishing a common system for returns.
The Home Office have confirmed that Campsfield has reopened as a detention centre questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
A good time to remind people that the UK is highly unusual in Europe as it doesn’t have a time limit on how long someone can be detained under immigration powers.
A good time to remind people that the UK is highly unusual in Europe as it doesn’t have a time limit on how long someone can be detained under immigration powers.
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
December 8, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The Home Office have confirmed that Campsfield has reopened as a detention centre questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
A good time to remind people that the UK is highly unusual in Europe as it doesn’t have a time limit on how long someone can be detained under immigration powers.
A good time to remind people that the UK is highly unusual in Europe as it doesn’t have a time limit on how long someone can be detained under immigration powers.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Very proud of the @naccomnetwork.bsky.social team and network for this data launch, but the reading is grim 👇🏻
In summary: hostile Government policies = increased homelessness for refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrants
#EndDestitution
In summary: hostile Government policies = increased homelessness for refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrants
#EndDestitution
Today, we launch our new data briefing for 2024/2025.
It's never been more urgent to fight for a welcoming society, where people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants are free from destitution and homelessness and can live with dignity as part of their community.
➡️ wp.me/p7yumi-4c9
It's never been more urgent to fight for a welcoming society, where people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants are free from destitution and homelessness and can live with dignity as part of their community.
➡️ wp.me/p7yumi-4c9
December 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Very proud of the @naccomnetwork.bsky.social team and network for this data launch, but the reading is grim 👇🏻
In summary: hostile Government policies = increased homelessness for refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrants
#EndDestitution
In summary: hostile Government policies = increased homelessness for refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrants
#EndDestitution
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Refugee homelessness in UK has more than doubled in two years, charity says
Refugee homelessness in UK has more than doubled in two years, charity says
Naccom members accommodated record 4,434 refugees and migrants in 2024-25 but could not house another 3,450
Thousands of refugees are facing a growing homelessness crisis, according to a network of more than 100 organisations across the UK who say homelessness has more than doubled among refugees in the last two years.
Naccom, the national charity of 140 frontline refugee and migrant organisations, blames the increase on “near-constant government policy changes” and the introduction of eVisas, which some refugees have not been able to activate in order to access vital services and support. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Refugee homelessness in UK has more than doubled in two years, charity says
Reposted by Jon Featonby
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
December 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
GB News now broadcasting calls to remove the ethnic minority MPs from parliament
Reposted by Jon Featonby
All the 'Danish model' has done is "entrench the forces and narratives driving the far-right. Its most tangible results are the harms inflicted on refugees and asylum seekers."
Read Sigrid Corry's account on why the UK should not follow suit: blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
Read Sigrid Corry's account on why the UK should not follow suit: blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
December 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
All the 'Danish model' has done is "entrench the forces and narratives driving the far-right. Its most tangible results are the harms inflicted on refugees and asylum seekers."
Read Sigrid Corry's account on why the UK should not follow suit: blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
Read Sigrid Corry's account on why the UK should not follow suit: blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
A child saved, a family lost, a legacy that warns us not to make the same mistakes.
With #Refugee #FamilyReunion now restricted, we must remember the human cost of separation, and our responsibility to prevent it.
🔗 Read @suelukes.bsky.social blog here: renecassin.org/from-kindert...
With #Refugee #FamilyReunion now restricted, we must remember the human cost of separation, and our responsibility to prevent it.
🔗 Read @suelukes.bsky.social blog here: renecassin.org/from-kindert...
December 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A child saved, a family lost, a legacy that warns us not to make the same mistakes.
With #Refugee #FamilyReunion now restricted, we must remember the human cost of separation, and our responsibility to prevent it.
🔗 Read @suelukes.bsky.social blog here: renecassin.org/from-kindert...
With #Refugee #FamilyReunion now restricted, we must remember the human cost of separation, and our responsibility to prevent it.
🔗 Read @suelukes.bsky.social blog here: renecassin.org/from-kindert...
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act has been given Royal Assent - www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/3...
Which means that the Safety of Rwanda Act has been repealed, as have the elements of the Illegal Migration Act that effectively banned asylum claims being processed
Which means that the Safety of Rwanda Act has been repealed, as have the elements of the Illegal Migration Act that effectively banned asylum claims being processed
Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025
www.legislation.gov.uk
December 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act has been given Royal Assent - www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/3...
Which means that the Safety of Rwanda Act has been repealed, as have the elements of the Illegal Migration Act that effectively banned asylum claims being processed
Which means that the Safety of Rwanda Act has been repealed, as have the elements of the Illegal Migration Act that effectively banned asylum claims being processed
From the asylum stats, the initial decision backlog is still going down, but the use of hotels has gone up again. The appeals process is increasingly the new bottleneck in the system, but the Home Office still haven't updated the appeals stats, or their quality of decision making measure.
November 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
From the asylum stats, the initial decision backlog is still going down, but the use of hotels has gone up again. The appeals process is increasingly the new bottleneck in the system, but the Home Office still haven't updated the appeals stats, or their quality of decision making measure.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Reposted by Jon Featonby
UK net migration predicted to drop to pre-Brexit levels, figures show
UK net migration predicted to drop to pre-Brexit levels, figures show
The British Future thinktank’s data predicts net migration to the UK will fall to about 300,000, less than a third of 2023’s figures
Net migration figures due on Thursday are predicted to drop to pre-Bexit levels of about 300,000, according to a thinktank.
British Future, which calculated the drop in overall migration, also found that most Britons remain unaware of the falling numbers, and expect the figures to rise or stay the same. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM
UK net migration predicted to drop to pre-Brexit levels, figures show