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.
The Home Office could do their bit by making the move-on period for newly recognised refugees 56 days. Since the 56 day pilot was “paused”, the return to 28 days is simply not long enough for people to find new accommodation.
The government is to hold a homelessness summit as it faces calls to step up its urgency in tackling rough sleeping
Charities have expressed concern that momentum within Whitehall to tackle the issue seems to have fallen off since Angela Rayner resigned from Cabinet, reports @nadinebh.bsky.social
Charities have expressed concern that momentum within Whitehall to tackle the issue seems to have fallen off since Angela Rayner resigned from Cabinet, reports @nadinebh.bsky.social
Government To Hold Homelessness Summit As Sector Calls For More Urgency
The government is being urged to step up its efforts to reduce homelessness as it prepares to host a summit on tackling rough sleeping.
www.politicshome.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Home Office could do their bit by making the move-on period for newly recognised refugees 56 days. Since the 56 day pilot was “paused”, the return to 28 days is simply not long enough for people to find new accommodation.
Good question from @libdemdaisy.bsky.social on Syrians waiting for a settlement decision. They were paused last Dec, as were asylum claims. Asylum claims are being processed now but not those for ILR - the Home Office can't say how many are impacted 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
November 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Good question from @libdemdaisy.bsky.social on Syrians waiting for a settlement decision. They were paused last Dec, as were asylum claims. Asylum claims are being processed now but not those for ILR - the Home Office can't say how many are impacted questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Baroness Lister is introducing her amendment on the move-on period now. Unlikely to be pushed to a vote, but hopefully will get some update from the Minister on what the Government's plans and when they'll published the evaluation of the 56 day pilot www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
November 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Baroness Lister is introducing her amendment on the move-on period now. Unlikely to be pushed to a vote, but hopefully will get some update from the Minister on what the Government's plans and when they'll published the evaluation of the 56 day pilot www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Report stage of the Border Security Bill continues in the Lords today. Amendments likely to be debated include one from Baroness Lister extending the move-on period for refugees to 56 days and @alfdubs.bsky.social's amendment on refugee family reunion for children bills.parliament.uk/publications...
bills.parliament.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Report stage of the Border Security Bill continues in the Lords today. Amendments likely to be debated include one from Baroness Lister extending the move-on period for refugees to 56 days and @alfdubs.bsky.social's amendment on refugee family reunion for children bills.parliament.uk/publications...
The Government just lost a vote on the Border Security Bill. It was a conservative amendment requiring the collection of data on overseas students who have had their visas revoked because of a criminal conviction. The Lib Dems abstained so it passed 161 to 144
November 5, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The Government just lost a vote on the Border Security Bill. It was a conservative amendment requiring the collection of data on overseas students who have had their visas revoked because of a criminal conviction. The Lib Dems abstained so it passed 161 to 144
Report stage of the Border Security Bill continues in the Lords today. Amendments likely to be debated include one from Baroness Lister extending the move-on period for refugees to 56 days and @alfdubs.bsky.social's amendment on refugee family reunion for children bills.parliament.uk/publications...
bills.parliament.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Report stage of the Border Security Bill continues in the Lords today. Amendments likely to be debated include one from Baroness Lister extending the move-on period for refugees to 56 days and @alfdubs.bsky.social's amendment on refugee family reunion for children bills.parliament.uk/publications...
Two months after the Government paused refugee family reunion, Lord Kerr has written for @politicshome.bsky.social about an amendment led by @alfdubs.bsky.social seeking to ensure that refugee children can continue to be reunited with family members in the UK www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Refugee families in the UK must have a safe route to reunite with a lost child
Lord Dubs' amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill would address the heartbreaking choices faced by parents separated from th...
www.politicshome.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Two months after the Government paused refugee family reunion, Lord Kerr has written for @politicshome.bsky.social about an amendment led by @alfdubs.bsky.social seeking to ensure that refugee children can continue to be reunited with family members in the UK www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Reposted by Jon Featonby
3 things Starmer could do instead of camps in old barracks that would actually WORK👇
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
Keir Starmer tries to look tough - and exposes himself as a coward
The government's immigration policy is in desperate need of a bold change in direction.
metro.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 AM
3 things Starmer could do instead of camps in old barracks that would actually WORK👇
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
The list of governmental responsibilities still hasn't been updated since the reshuffle www.gov.uk/government/p...
Government ministers and responsibilities
This document lists government ministers and their responsibilities.
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The list of governmental responsibilities still hasn't been updated since the reshuffle www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
"Legal sources said more migrants were attempting to cross the Channel in small boats because they were being left homeless by the French authorities" www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Migrants try to return to UK after France refuses to house them
Asylum seekers deported under one in, one out deal are being left homeless by the French authorities, legal sources claim, fuelling attempted returns
www.thetimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"Legal sources said more migrants were attempting to cross the Channel in small boats because they were being left homeless by the French authorities" www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
The Lords report stage of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration bill will now finish on 11 November, with 3rd reading provisionally scheduled for 17 November. Unless there's a real surprise in the next couple of weeks, will be very little ping pong after that.
October 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The Lords report stage of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration bill will now finish on 11 November, with 3rd reading provisionally scheduled for 17 November. Unless there's a real surprise in the next couple of weeks, will be very little ping pong after that.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
This is not who we are as a country – we should not be forcing children to grow up without their parents.
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is not who we are as a country – we should not be forcing children to grow up without their parents.
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Tories confirm Chris Philp's bill proposing mass deportation of people with indefinite leave to remain no longer party policy - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
October 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Tories confirm Chris Philp's bill proposing mass deportation of people with indefinite leave to remain no longer party policy - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Thanks to @carladenyer.bsky.social for setting out our @refugeecouncil.bsky.social proposal to end the use of hotels for people seeking asylum without needing to resort to unsuitable, expensive military sites in the House of Commons just now www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Ending the use of hotels to house people seeking asylum - Refugee Council
New analysis outlines how the UK can responsibly end the use of asylum hotels within a year through a secure, practical solution.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Thanks to @carladenyer.bsky.social for setting out our @refugeecouncil.bsky.social proposal to end the use of hotels for people seeking asylum without needing to resort to unsuitable, expensive military sites in the House of Commons just now www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Written statement on the launching of a consultation about extending right to work checks questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
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
October 29, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Written statement on the launching of a consultation about extending right to work checks questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
I think this is a really important point for anyone advocating for large/disused barracks/RAF sites etc. Apart from the detrimental effects on individuals and families including children, probably because of the isolation & lack of infrastructure, these options are also very expensive.
This letter from the Home Office to the Home Affairs Select Committee confirms how ridiculously expensive putting people seeking asylum in hotels is compared to housing in communities. It costs more than six times as much. And large sites aren't much better committees.parliament.uk/publications...
October 27, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I think this is a really important point for anyone advocating for large/disused barracks/RAF sites etc. Apart from the detrimental effects on individuals and families including children, probably because of the isolation & lack of infrastructure, these options are also very expensive.
The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has been pretty scathing about the quality of evidence and arguments supporting the pause in refugee family reunion applications publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld....
House of Lords - Thirty Seventh Report - Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee
publications.parliament.uk
October 16, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has been pretty scathing about the quality of evidence and arguments supporting the pause in refugee family reunion applications publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld....
Reposted by Jon Featonby
It’s hard to believe that 4 years on from the fall of Kabul, Afghans who served with UK troops are still waiting to be relocated to safety
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
They fought with Britain and US in Afghanistan – now Taliban is taking its revenge
After the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021, Britain pledged sanctuary to Afghans who faced reprisals for working with UK forces – but thousands are still waiting. Now, as Britain drags its heels, we ...
www.independent.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
It’s hard to believe that 4 years on from the fall of Kabul, Afghans who served with UK troops are still waiting to be relocated to safety
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
Now a painstaking analysis by @lighthousereports.com and partners reveals the extent of the peril they're facing, with 110+ ex-security forces killed since 2023
Reposted by Jon Featonby
NEW
Trying to make sense of the nonsensical decision to drop the Chinese spying prosecutions
How the positions of neither the CPS nor the government stand up to scrutiny
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/trying-to-...
Trying to make sense of the nonsensical decision to drop the Chinese spying prosecutions
How the positions of neither the CPS nor the government stand up to scrutiny
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/trying-to-...
October 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
NEW
Trying to make sense of the nonsensical decision to drop the Chinese spying prosecutions
How the positions of neither the CPS nor the government stand up to scrutiny
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/trying-to-...
Trying to make sense of the nonsensical decision to drop the Chinese spying prosecutions
How the positions of neither the CPS nor the government stand up to scrutiny
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/trying-to-...
This letter from the Home Office to the Home Affairs Select Committee confirms how ridiculously expensive putting people seeking asylum in hotels is compared to housing in communities. It costs more than six times as much. And large sites aren't much better committees.parliament.uk/publications...
October 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
This letter from the Home Office to the Home Affairs Select Committee confirms how ridiculously expensive putting people seeking asylum in hotels is compared to housing in communities. It costs more than six times as much. And large sites aren't much better committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Migrants were detained in Albanian centres under an Italy-Albania deal, managed by the Medihospes cooperative on a €133m contract, but legal, operational, and ethical issues persist, an investigation reveals.
Italy-Albania migrant deal: Millions spent, few results
Migrants were detained in Albanian centres under an Italy-Albania deal, managed by the Medihospes cooperative on a €133m contract, but legal, operational, and ethical issues persist, an investigation reveals.
euobserver.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Migrants were detained in Albanian centres under an Italy-Albania deal, managed by the Medihospes cooperative on a €133m contract, but legal, operational, and ethical issues persist, an investigation reveals.
Reposted by Jon Featonby
Government statement to MPs on digital ID yesterday evening. "Tackling illegal immigration" carefully positioned as the third of three reasons to do it, and even then "not a silver bullet" hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...
Digital ID - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'Digital ID' on Monday 13 October 2025.
hansard.parliament.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Government statement to MPs on digital ID yesterday evening. "Tackling illegal immigration" carefully positioned as the third of three reasons to do it, and even then "not a silver bullet" hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...
Here's the parliamentary statement outlining the changes (haven't seen the detail yet) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
October 14, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Here's the parliamentary statement outlining the changes (haven't seen the detail yet) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
There’s a statement of changes to the immigration rules on today’s Commons order paper commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/978...
October 14, 2025 at 5:31 AM
There’s a statement of changes to the immigration rules on today’s Commons order paper commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/978...