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lukepiper.bsky.social
Luke Piper
@lukepiper.bsky.social
1.2K followers 340 following 350 posts
Solicitor. Head of Immigration at the Work Rights Centre. All things U.K. immigration law / policy mainly. Yorkshireman in Bristol.
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lukepiper.bsky.social
Luke Piper @lukepiper.bsky.social · May 11
The debate around care visas in the political space boils down to people saying stuff like this - we desperately need people.

It's a good soundbite but...

A significant surge in care visas were issued since 2020 in response to sector demand and yet the problem of shortage has persisted.

Why?
peterstefanovic.bsky.social Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · May 11
BREAKING: “We will be closing the care worker visa for overseas recruitment” - Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

Don’t we have a desperate shortage of care workers?
lukepiper.bsky.social
Yesterday I helped give a presentation on immigration law options to a room full of people trapped by the Health and Care Visa.

Promised work, paid £££, unable to work and can't find new sponsors.

This crisis i wrote a thread on 5 months ago isn't going away.
lukepiper.bsky.social Luke Piper @lukepiper.bsky.social · May 11
The debate around care visas in the political space boils down to people saying stuff like this - we desperately need people.

It's a good soundbite but...

A significant surge in care visas were issued since 2020 in response to sector demand and yet the problem of shortage has persisted.

Why?
peterstefanovic.bsky.social Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · May 11
BREAKING: “We will be closing the care worker visa for overseas recruitment” - Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

Don’t we have a desperate shortage of care workers?
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
This should be good.

HASC questioning Migration Advisory Committee on UK immigration challenges.

committees.parliament.uk/event/24901/...
4 November 2025 - The work of the Migration Advisory Committee - Oral evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
14:00 - Room 15, Palace of Westminster
committees.parliament.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Luke Piper
workrights.bsky.social
We are delighted to welcome @mdiasabey.bsky.social to our board of trustees🎉

Manoj's long-standing interest in labour rights, and his support for a collaborative Fair Work Agency that values civil society input, makes him an ideal collaborator in our work.

www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
Manoj Dias-Abey | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
November 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Luke Piper
kalayaan.org.uk
🚨NEWS🚨

Next week marks report stage of the Borders Bill. We're briefing to 2 urgent amendments:

Amendment 43 calls on the right to work for survivors of modern slavery in the NRM &

Amendment 44 calls on changes to the ODW visa

Briefings available to read here: www.kalayaan.org.uk/resources/br...
Briefings | Kalayaan
Kalayaan is a small London based charity which works to provide practical advice and support to, as well as campaign with and for, the rights of migrant domestic workers in the UK.
www.kalayaan.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM
lukepiper.bsky.social
Makes me wince seeing this because of how hard it now is for people to switch into the Skilled Worker route. Lots of people on graduate visas facing cliff edges after spending thousands££ on visas/study.
cjmckinney.bsky.social CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 10d
Over 40% of international students who arrived in the UK in 2022 had switched to a work visa by 2024 (mostly the Graduate visa designed for that purpose), Migration Observatory analysis shows migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
November 1, 2025 at 8:16 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
The majority of the casework I do involves people in similar situations to Kavin. Trapped in limbo unable to work and move on to new sponsors. The government's toughening up of rules and increase in costs has made the situation worse.

www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...
Migrant workers on legal visas trapped in modern slavery
Revealed: UK’s employment visas are causing thousands of legal migrant workers to end up in modern slavery
www.opendemocracy.net
October 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Luke Piper
sianushka.bsky.social
New - how people arriving into the UK on visas become trapped in modern slavery

www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...

Kavin came here to work. He did everything “right”. But the way we design visas contributed to his exploitation @opendemocracy.net
Migrant workers on legal visas trapped in modern slavery
Revealed: UK’s employment visas are causing thousands of legal migrant workers to end up in modern slavery
www.opendemocracy.net
October 31, 2025 at 8:54 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
Fine but the damage has been done. There are more harmful/hateful policies to come and the UK is already relatively unattractive to the world. High salary thresholds/harsh rules/high fees has seen numbers already plummet. Can this be turned around?
October 31, 2025 at 8:17 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
The Government's consultation on the Right to Work scheme is narrowly focused on developing the code of practice that will implement what is in the bill.

I've not seen much debate on the changes that were snuck in at the end the commons stage. /1

www.gov.uk/government/c...
October 30, 2025 at 10:46 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
The LAA's PowerBI data map linked to in this piece is VERY interesting.
October 30, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Luke Piper
freemovement.bsky.social
New from Free Movement: Job ad: Work Rights Centre are recruiting a Trainee Solicitor | Free Movement
Job ad: Work Rights Centre are recruiting a Trainee Solicitor - Free Movement
We’re recruiting a Trainee Solicitor (Immigration and Employment)
freemovement.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:06 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
I can think of some not very nice things the Home Office could do with this approach...
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Luke Piper
workrights.bsky.social
We're recruiting a trainee solicitor with a strong sense of justice, who is looking to build a career in a legal profession.

After two years, you will gain the required practical experience to fully qualify as a solicitor.

Apply or send to a friend🤝

www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
We’re recruiting a Trainee Solicitor (Immigration and Employment) | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
October 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
I am no ardent defender of the Home Office. But effective reform will not come if they are to face / rely on reports like this. It is not a credible piece of work. These glimpses into how the Home Office was examined by the previous administration are instructive.
lukepiper.bsky.social Luke Piper @lukepiper.bsky.social · 14d
A report Nick Timothy MP produced in March 23' (when he was not an MP) has featured heavily in the media and has been used by the Home.Sec. to attack the Home Office. I had the chance to read it... /1
October 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
lukepiper.bsky.social
A report Nick Timothy MP produced in March 23' (when he was not an MP) has featured heavily in the media and has been used by the Home.Sec. to attack the Home Office. I had the chance to read it... /1
October 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Luke Piper
samfr.bsky.social
The select committee report on the asylum hotel shambles highlights a point I made repeatedly - the absurd gimicks pursued by the last govt like Rwanda took resources away from running the actual system properly.
October 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
For those amongst us who don't get to go to the Old Bailey, these tours are fantastic value. www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tou...
Guided Tour of the Old Bailey
A unique opportunity to visit this London icon.
www.eventbrite.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
lukepiper.bsky.social
A friend and I spent a rainy day looking at this and there are some changes that essentially means that an "exceptional circumstances" test will be applied to those in this situation. Superior analysis here @alexinlaw.bsky.social : freemovement.org.uk/new-suitabil...
October 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Luke Piper
britishineurope.bsky.social
As part of our EU-funded Inform, Connect, Empower project on the implementation of the #WithdrawalAgreement and EU Charter of Fundamental rights for UK citizens in the EU we have drafted a comprehensive legal report on implementation. bit.ly/49kAwYr
Legal Report on the WA and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights | British in Europe
As part of the work funded by the ICE project, we are now publishing a detailed legal report on Withdrawal Agreement implementation and the EU Charter of...
bit.ly
October 24, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Reposted by Luke Piper
britishineurope.bsky.social
Once again we find ourselves responding to attacks on fundamental rights and basic decency from UK political parties. Once again we are stunned at how far-right racist policies and arguments are now being mainstreamed in the UK.

Read our statement bit.ly/48K3TmK
British in Europe opposes immigration bill put forward by Conservatives | British in Europe
British in Europe is alarmed by the comments made by Katie Lam MP in an interview with the Sunday Times published on 19 October 2025 and a bill drafted by...
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
Similar things have been repeatedly said in the 15+ years I've been working in this area.

Shabana Mahmood says damning report shows Home Office ‘not fit for purpose’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Shabana Mahmood says damning report shows Home Office ‘not fit for purpose’
Home secretary vows overhaul after previously secret 2023 review lists series of perceived shortcomings
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:31 AM
lukepiper.bsky.social
A bill, presented by the Shadow Home Secretary no less, doesn't appear to have been read/understood by the official team of the Tories.
October 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by Luke Piper
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Some important guidance yesterday from the Competition Appeal Tribunal for crowdfunded litigation and - many BlueSky users will want to note - for those who donate to such litigation. www.catribunal.org.uk/sites/cat/fi...
H. 52. CROWDFUNDING Mr Henry has sought to use crowdfunding in order to support the Appeal. For that purpose, Mr Henry established a crowdfunding website (the "Website") which is to be found at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-legal-fees-for-a-scottish-tv-channel#start. At the time of the hearing, some 24 donors had contributed the sum of £778 in order to help to defray Mr Henry's legal costs associated with this Appeal. As at the date of this ruling, 13 further donors have come forward, and the sum of €1,376 has been raised. 53. 54. Crowdfunding - involving the raising of finance for a specific litigation matter via an online platform - is a legitimate and potentially very useful source of funding. As a concept, crowdfunding has been recognised for several centuries indeed, Mozart crowdfunded a tour of 1783 by offering concerto manuscripts to those who agreed to finance the tour), while the crowdfunding of litigation emerged in England in the early 2000s.' In its recent report, Review of Litigation Funding, published 2 June 2025, the Civil Justice Council recognised the utility of crowdfunding, albeit that it recommended regulation of such funding, regardless of whether or not the donors had provided the funds on the basis that they would receive a financial reward if the funded litigation was successful. 1º Presently, however, crowdfunding in England remains unregulated, except for a system of voluntary self-regulation by the UK Crowdfunding Association and by judicial scrutiny and comment ex post facto. Certain aspects of Mr Henry's crowdfunding campaign on the Website were of concern to the Tribunal and merit some cautionary comment. At the time of the hearing, it was stated on the Website that, "Ofcom the UK broadcast regulator has been in breach of its statutory duties by allowing a company called That's TV to operate 20 local TV licences including 5 in Scotland that do not deliver a minimum statutory requirement of local news" (per the "Overview" tab). This statement was incorrect. Ofcom had not committed any statutory infringements in transferring the Scottish L-DTPS licences to That's TV in June 2018. This inaccuracy was pointed out to Mr Henry at the hearing, whereupon the Website was subsequently amended so as to state that, "Ofcom the UK broadcast regulator has failed to prevent a company called That's TV who operates 20+ local TV licences including 5 in Scotland that do not deliver a minimum statutory requirement of local news." Hence, the assertion of a breach of statutory duty by Ofcom was removed from the Website by Mr Henry (or at his direction) following the hearing. 55. However, there are other statements which persist on the Website and which remain of concern to the Tribunal. For example, it is stated that "Ofcom is fighting against the case even though the evidence is very clear", and that if Mr Henry is successful in this Appeal, "then That's TV will see all of their local broadcast licences end on the 25th of November this year" (per the "Updates" tab). In respect of the former statement, it is for the Tribunal, and not for the crowdfunded litigant, to consider the cogency of the evidence being adduced in support of any application which is made before it. In respect of the latter statement, there is no question of That's TV's L-DTPS licences ending on 25 November 2025, for, as set out earlier in this ruling, Ofcom has exercised its power, legitimately, to extend the period for which those L-DTPS licences continue in force by 12 months under section 19ZA(1) of the 1996 Act. The subject matter of the Appeal is not whether Ofcom had power to extend those licences (as it clearly does), but whether Ofcom should be prevented from renewing That's TV licences, pursuant to section 19ZB of the 1996 Act, from 26 November 2026 onwards. The inaccuracies referred to in the previous two paragraphs are directed toward the "pitch" of the Websi… ramifications for the proper administration of justice." While the Tribunal does not consider that the inaccuracies on the Website match the level of seriousness which has been identified by the courts in other cases, it is important to emphasise that a crowdfunding page should never be used as a "weapon" in a dispute as part of some sort of "lawfare", to adopt a phrase used by the Court of Appeal in Re A (a child) [2022] 4 WLR 25, [2021] EWCA Civ 1749, at [41]. The proprieties which the litigious process demands must be observed by both the crowdfunding host and by the litigant who is the beneficiary of the funding, in the interests of fair and proper justice. 57. 58. It is also important that donors to crowdfunding sites do not conduct themselves in any way that could be viewed as "improperly stirring up [another's] litigation", as it was described in In Re Trepca Mines Ltd (No 2) [1962] 3 All ER 351, [1963] Ch 199 (CA) at 219, for any such conduct could potentially be regarded as constituting maintenance. Although conduct amounting to maintenance or champerty has not constituted either a tort or a crime since the enactment of the Criminal Law Act 1967, sections 13(1) and 14(1), it remains the case that a funding contract which is so tainted may be "treated as contrary to public policy or otherwise illegal" (per section 14(2)). To that end, it is inadvisable for donors to publicly express views about the merits of a case on a crowdfunding website, or to make statements which could be perceived as having the aim of helping a crowdfunded litigation to secure more funding. It is plain from the Website that Mr Henry's stated purpose in bringing this application is to establish a Scottish TV channel himself. The Website states that, "[e]veryone who donates will be invited to the launch of the new Scottish TV channel that I am planning to launch using the 5 Scottish Local TV licenses. I have a detailed business plan for the TV channel and have attracted interest from po… "independent, truthful, TV service [which] is vital for Scotland's cause. I hope the tribunal decision is favourable"; further, "[let's bring these licenses into Scottish ownership and give people the service they deserve", and that "[w]e really need an independent news channel to get us over the line". While the Tribunal does not consider that these or any other of the statements made by the donors on the Website reach the level of "improperly stirring up" Mr Henry's litigation, it is nevertheless inadvisable for donors to express views on matters which go beyond the scope of the application in question which is being funded. Mr Henry's application in the instant case was for interim relief in order to prevent Ofcom from renewing any That's TV L-DTPS licences, and whatever the ultimate aims of Mr Henry's application might be, any comments from donors which go beyond the application in question must be cautioned against.
October 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by Luke Piper
johnspringford.bsky.social
Brian Bell, chair of the migration Advisory Committee, says "the government would be in breach, very clear breach, of its manifesto commitment to reduce net migration" if it signed up to an uncapped EU youth mobility scheme. I don't think that's true. 1/n
www.politico.eu/article/brus...
Brussels’ Brexit reset demands put Keir Starmer in a migration bind
The European Union’s pitch for youth mobility is asking Keir Starmer to break his manifesto pledges on migration.
www.politico.eu
October 22, 2025 at 7:50 AM