Luke Piper
@lukepiper.bsky.social
Solicitor. Head of Immigration at the Work Rights Centre. All things U.K. immigration law / policy mainly. Yorkshireman in Bristol.
Pinned
Luke Piper
@lukepiper.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?
Don’t we have a desperate shortage of care workers?
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?
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?
It's a wonderful thing to welcome in 2026 with everyone here going after that silly Ovenden piece. Seems to have gone down well somewhere though...
January 2, 2026 at 11:14 AM
It's a wonderful thing to welcome in 2026 with everyone here going after that silly Ovenden piece. Seems to have gone down well somewhere though...
Sobering stuff. Important context for 2026.
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
January 2, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Sobering stuff. Important context for 2026.
2025 has moved at lightning speed, and looking back, I am incredibly proud of what our team at the Work Rights Centre has achieved.
It’s been a year of growth and impact: /1
It’s been a year of growth and impact: /1
We take our impact very seriously. Here's a snapshot of what we achieved in 2025:
💥£173K recovered for people exploited by their employers
💥481 people supported to understand & secure their immigration status
💥8 Home Office decisions contested
Read more⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
💥£173K recovered for people exploited by their employers
💥481 people supported to understand & secure their immigration status
💥8 Home Office decisions contested
Read more⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
Our impact | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
December 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
2025 has moved at lightning speed, and looking back, I am incredibly proud of what our team at the Work Rights Centre has achieved.
It’s been a year of growth and impact: /1
It’s been a year of growth and impact: /1
Reposted by Luke Piper
We take our impact very seriously. Here's a snapshot of what we achieved in 2025:
💥£173K recovered for people exploited by their employers
💥481 people supported to understand & secure their immigration status
💥8 Home Office decisions contested
Read more⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
💥£173K recovered for people exploited by their employers
💥481 people supported to understand & secure their immigration status
💥8 Home Office decisions contested
Read more⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
Our impact | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
December 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM
We take our impact very seriously. Here's a snapshot of what we achieved in 2025:
💥£173K recovered for people exploited by their employers
💥481 people supported to understand & secure their immigration status
💥8 Home Office decisions contested
Read more⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
💥£173K recovered for people exploited by their employers
💥481 people supported to understand & secure their immigration status
💥8 Home Office decisions contested
Read more⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/about-us/our...
Reposted by Luke Piper
Well, that was quite a year!
Here's our roundup of the big migration moments of 2025, including 3 white papers, a big fall in net migration, and 10 gaps in the evidence base.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
Here's our roundup of the big migration moments of 2025, including 3 white papers, a big fall in net migration, and 10 gaps in the evidence base.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
2025: Review of the year - Migration Observatory
A round up of the big moments in UK migration policy and developments from the rollercoaster that was 2025.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
December 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Well, that was quite a year!
Here's our roundup of the big migration moments of 2025, including 3 white papers, a big fall in net migration, and 10 gaps in the evidence base.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
Here's our roundup of the big migration moments of 2025, including 3 white papers, a big fall in net migration, and 10 gaps in the evidence base.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
Reposted by Luke Piper
New from FM: Court declares University’s failure to rescind its withdrawal of sponsorship as unlawful | Ben Maitland
Court declares University’s failure to rescind its withdrawal of sponsorship as unlawful - Free Movement
The High Court found that a University's failure to rescind its withdrawal of sponsorship, or at least inquire about the possibility of doing so with the Home
freemovement.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 9:31 AM
New from FM: Court declares University’s failure to rescind its withdrawal of sponsorship as unlawful | Ben Maitland
Interesting. I suspect that this has a lot to do with graduate visas coming to an end. A bespoke visa scheme for prison staff to give 12 month extensions. Will be interesting to understand if this is long enough and what they hope to change in that time. news.sky.com/story/hundre...
Hundreds of foreign prison staff 'offered emergency extension to visa' to stop the prison system collapsing
Sources suggest Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had previously been reluctant to make the exemption as part of her drive to reduce net migration.
news.sky.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Interesting. I suspect that this has a lot to do with graduate visas coming to an end. A bespoke visa scheme for prison staff to give 12 month extensions. Will be interesting to understand if this is long enough and what they hope to change in that time. news.sky.com/story/hundre...
Reposted by Luke Piper
Far more people in medium-skilled jobs who came in 2023 were sponsored by employers whose license has been revoked than in 2022. This is particularly bad for temporary shortage list jobs.
Excludes health and care, only includes jobs with 100+ visas for entry and employers sponsoring 6+ visas. (1/2)
Excludes health and care, only includes jobs with 100+ visas for entry and employers sponsoring 6+ visas. (1/2)
December 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Far more people in medium-skilled jobs who came in 2023 were sponsored by employers whose license has been revoked than in 2022. This is particularly bad for temporary shortage list jobs.
Excludes health and care, only includes jobs with 100+ visas for entry and employers sponsoring 6+ visas. (1/2)
Excludes health and care, only includes jobs with 100+ visas for entry and employers sponsoring 6+ visas. (1/2)
Reposted by Luke Piper
Even by my low expectations for Kemi Badenoch ‘violence against women and girls is something done by immigrants and nobody else’ has shocked me.
Dog-whistle and factually incorrect. Ladies, raise your hand if you were sexually assaulted by a boy at school? I’d wager this or a family member is most women’s first experience of sexual violence
December 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Even by my low expectations for Kemi Badenoch ‘violence against women and girls is something done by immigrants and nobody else’ has shocked me.
Reposted by Luke Piper
🔊We are launching a NEW CAMPAIGN to stand against the government's plans to put ILR even further out of reach for most migrants (except the wealthy!)
These plans are morally wrong and will damage our society and communities. Stand with us to oppose them✊
www.workrightscentre.org/our-campaign...
These plans are morally wrong and will damage our society and communities. Stand with us to oppose them✊
www.workrightscentre.org/our-campaign...
Oppose ILR changes | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
December 16, 2025 at 11:28 AM
🔊We are launching a NEW CAMPAIGN to stand against the government's plans to put ILR even further out of reach for most migrants (except the wealthy!)
These plans are morally wrong and will damage our society and communities. Stand with us to oppose them✊
www.workrightscentre.org/our-campaign...
These plans are morally wrong and will damage our society and communities. Stand with us to oppose them✊
www.workrightscentre.org/our-campaign...
This had me laughing a bit too much.
Following the controversy over the edited Trump speech, the BBC has been lambasted for its negative and biased portrayal of the leader of a prominent right-wing government…
An Evening with Private Eye 2025, out now on YouTube.
An Evening with Private Eye 2025, out now on YouTube.
December 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
This had me laughing a bit too much.
They have a significant majority in the Commons that they secured with a manifesto to usher in the content of the Employment Rights Bill. And yet faced a v.difficult time getting it passed. This did not happen to the same degree under the Tories.
NEW - The Employment Rights bill has finally passed, after a tortured time in the Lords.
Christmas cheer for ministers and trade unions
Christmas cheer for ministers and trade unions
December 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
They have a significant majority in the Commons that they secured with a manifesto to usher in the content of the Employment Rights Bill. And yet faced a v.difficult time getting it passed. This did not happen to the same degree under the Tories.
A number of workers sponsored under the Home Office's Skilled Worker scheme are now receiving positive decisions recognising them as victims of modern slavery.
The means of control has always included visa status and the sponsorship powers given to exploiters by the Home Office. /1
The means of control has always included visa status and the sponsorship powers given to exploiters by the Home Office. /1
December 16, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A number of workers sponsored under the Home Office's Skilled Worker scheme are now receiving positive decisions recognising them as victims of modern slavery.
The means of control has always included visa status and the sponsorship powers given to exploiters by the Home Office. /1
The means of control has always included visa status and the sponsorship powers given to exploiters by the Home Office. /1
Colleague sends me this from the partner leave to remain application they are completing... I had not seen this before. Ask yourself, why would the Home Office need to know how your partner became British?
December 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Colleague sends me this from the partner leave to remain application they are completing... I had not seen this before. Ask yourself, why would the Home Office need to know how your partner became British?
I saw this last night and it was excellent. The hype is well earned. I'd never thought Dylan Thomas' prose worked so well to so many different genre's of music including tango. They really brought to life that intersection of memory and nostalgia www.emmaricecompany.co.uk/productions/...
A Child's Christmas in Wales | Emma Rice Company
A Child's Christmas in Wales Information, past casts and tour details
www.emmaricecompany.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
I saw this last night and it was excellent. The hype is well earned. I'd never thought Dylan Thomas' prose worked so well to so many different genre's of music including tango. They really brought to life that intersection of memory and nostalgia www.emmaricecompany.co.uk/productions/...
And yet, the government's Earned Settlement strategy essentially says they don't contribute enough and need to do more to 'earn' the right to stay indefinitely in the UK.
4. Even care workers (a subset of those on the Health and Care Visa) are only a relatively small direct fiscal cost, and as the report says roughly comparable to Brits:
"Care Workers are therefore fiscally negative over their lifetimes and broadly similar to the UK median for the age group"
"Care Workers are therefore fiscally negative over their lifetimes and broadly similar to the UK median for the age group"
December 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
And yet, the government's Earned Settlement strategy essentially says they don't contribute enough and need to do more to 'earn' the right to stay indefinitely in the UK.
Reposted by Luke Piper
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
December 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Our Marcel had an orthopedic operation a couple of weeks (FHNE). He's doing so well and it makes you marvel at how resilient cats can be. He has essentially lost part of his femur and is walking around like nothing happened!
December 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Our Marcel had an orthopedic operation a couple of weeks (FHNE). He's doing so well and it makes you marvel at how resilient cats can be. He has essentially lost part of his femur and is walking around like nothing happened!
Reposted by Luke Piper
🚨New research by the Migration Advisory Committee shows migrants who came to the UK on the Skilled Worker visa route in 2022/23 likely to make a +47bn fiscal contribution over their lifetime. Even the lowest earners excluded from the route after the July changes make a positive contribution
December 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
🚨New research by the Migration Advisory Committee shows migrants who came to the UK on the Skilled Worker visa route in 2022/23 likely to make a +47bn fiscal contribution over their lifetime. Even the lowest earners excluded from the route after the July changes make a positive contribution
Reposted by Luke Piper
90,000 people have been pushed from one queue to another. Rather than waiting for an initial decision, they are now waiting to appeal.
More time in costly hotels, more targeting from the far-right, less chance to move on with their lives.
More time in costly hotels, more targeting from the far-right, less chance to move on with their lives.
December 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
90,000 people have been pushed from one queue to another. Rather than waiting for an initial decision, they are now waiting to appeal.
More time in costly hotels, more targeting from the far-right, less chance to move on with their lives.
More time in costly hotels, more targeting from the far-right, less chance to move on with their lives.
Reposted by Luke Piper
New NRM stats today show significant decrease in the time it's taking for cases to receive Conclusive Grounds decisions.
📉 As of the 30 Nov 2025 there were 6,749 cases awaiting a CG decision; a 26% decrease compared to 30 September 2025 (9,107) and a 77% decrease from the peak of 29,275 in 2022.
📉 As of the 30 Nov 2025 there were 6,749 cases awaiting a CG decision; a 26% decrease compared to 30 September 2025 (9,107) and a 77% decrease from the peak of 29,275 in 2022.
December 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New NRM stats today show significant decrease in the time it's taking for cases to receive Conclusive Grounds decisions.
📉 As of the 30 Nov 2025 there were 6,749 cases awaiting a CG decision; a 26% decrease compared to 30 September 2025 (9,107) and a 77% decrease from the peak of 29,275 in 2022.
📉 As of the 30 Nov 2025 there were 6,749 cases awaiting a CG decision; a 26% decrease compared to 30 September 2025 (9,107) and a 77% decrease from the peak of 29,275 in 2022.
Reposted by Luke Piper
Latest Skilled Worker entry clearance stats.
December 11, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Latest Skilled Worker entry clearance stats.
Reposted by Luke Piper
Analytical rigour in Article 8 immigration appeals administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/a...
Analytical rigour in Article 8 immigration appeals
Less than two weeks after it handed down judgment in the Home Secretary’s successful Gaza family reunion appeal, the Court of Appeal has reiterated the need for courts to “accord appropriate weight…
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Analytical rigour in Article 8 immigration appeals administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/a...
Reposted by Luke Piper
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
December 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
Reposted by Luke Piper
🚨Changes to immigration could wipe £10bn from the Treasury, reveals the government's impact assessment.
The losses are almost certain: older & disabled people will find it harder to get care, and between -£10.8bn and -£2.2bn will be lost in taxes; while the benefits are uncertain & intangible. 1/X
The losses are almost certain: older & disabled people will find it harder to get care, and between -£10.8bn and -£2.2bn will be lost in taxes; while the benefits are uncertain & intangible. 1/X
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🚨Changes to immigration could wipe £10bn from the Treasury, reveals the government's impact assessment.
The losses are almost certain: older & disabled people will find it harder to get care, and between -£10.8bn and -£2.2bn will be lost in taxes; while the benefits are uncertain & intangible. 1/X
The losses are almost certain: older & disabled people will find it harder to get care, and between -£10.8bn and -£2.2bn will be lost in taxes; while the benefits are uncertain & intangible. 1/X