Ilona Pinter 🧡
@ilonapin.bsky.social
Researcher #FamilyFinances @uofglasgow.bsky.social & #ChildPovMig @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social PhD @lsesocialpolicy.bsky.social #childrights #asylum #immigration #NRPF #poverty #inequality Lover of strangers & islands https://linktr.ee/ypseekingsafety
Pinned
Learning is an essential need
Recent public narratives around asylum-seeking have focused on mostly men arriving by small boats and staying in Home Office commissioned hotels. However, what is the experience of the children and fa...
cpag.org.uk
The reality for children and families living in deep poverty while receiving Home Office Asylum Support gets little attention. My article for @cpaguk.bsky.social Poverty Journal - 'Learning is an essential need' - looks at what this means for children's education cpag.org.uk/news/learnin...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
At the Cost of the School Day summit young people told Scotland's First Minister what more they think needs to happen in their schools to make sure poverty doesn't have an impact on learning.
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
At the Cost of the School Day summit young people told Scotland's First Minister what more they think needs to happen in their schools to make sure poverty doesn't have an impact on learning.
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Find out more: tinyurl.com/2t4cpbfu
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Reports suggest that the UK plans to emulate Denmark's migration system
@kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social argues that "research from the country suggests that drawing lessons from the Danish migration policy should be done with caution and involves pitfalls for British politicians."
🔗 bit.ly/3LA1UI4
@kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social argues that "research from the country suggests that drawing lessons from the Danish migration policy should be done with caution and involves pitfalls for British politicians."
🔗 bit.ly/3LA1UI4
Denmark’s migration policy – an example to follow? - UK in a changing Europe
Kristina Bakkær Simonsen explains why countries feel they have something to learn from Denmark's strict migration policy, but argues that there are many key pitfalls.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reports suggest that the UK plans to emulate Denmark's migration system
@kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social argues that "research from the country suggests that drawing lessons from the Danish migration policy should be done with caution and involves pitfalls for British politicians."
🔗 bit.ly/3LA1UI4
@kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social argues that "research from the country suggests that drawing lessons from the Danish migration policy should be done with caution and involves pitfalls for British politicians."
🔗 bit.ly/3LA1UI4
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Such a key point about cutting back on language provision - it’s not good for science and it’s not good for growth
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 8, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Such a key point about cutting back on language provision - it’s not good for science and it’s not good for growth
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
On 4 November, the Home Affairs Committee met with the Migration Advisory Committee to discuss the proposed changes to ILR. They brought up some very interesting points.
Part 1
Part 1
November 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
On 4 November, the Home Affairs Committee met with the Migration Advisory Committee to discuss the proposed changes to ILR. They brought up some very interesting points.
Part 1
Part 1
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
November 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I can’t envisage a child poverty strategy which garners any credibility without fully scrapping the two-child limit.
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Unconvinced? Check out (even better share) this summary of the peer-reviewed evidence base @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @aaronreeves.bsky.social
largerfamilies.study/publications...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
"Children are our future and will help this country thrive and grow, but to do this they must have the best possible start in life that they can have."
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
This morning, I was invited to a meeting in The House of Lords, along with Changing Realities, two other participants and members from other organisations. The roundtable – chaired by Baroness Ruth Lister and Professor Ruth Patrick – was also attended by other Lords, senior civil servants and Changing Realities funders. We discussed the government’s Child Poverty Strategy, which will hopefully be announced shortly after the budget in November.
changingrealities.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM
"Children are our future and will help this country thrive and grow, but to do this they must have the best possible start in life that they can have."
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
Read our wonderful blog from Brian on his experience at the House of Lords Child Poverty roundtable 👉 changingrealities.org/blog/hope-on...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
I’m sure Matt Goodwin will be along shortly to tell us all whether LNER Customer Service Host Samir Zitouni counts as British or not. news.sky.com/story/train-...
Train company LNER 'extremely proud' of rail worker in critical condition after mass stabbing as family call him 'hero'
The "extraordinary bravery" of the LNER worker who intervened during the train mass stabbing attack on Saturday has been hailed by his company.
news.sky.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I’m sure Matt Goodwin will be along shortly to tell us all whether LNER Customer Service Host Samir Zitouni counts as British or not. news.sky.com/story/train-...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
"To let people get stuck in jobs that don’t use their potential is a waste — not just for them, but for the economy as a whole." Good piece from @sarahoconnorft.ft.com on migrants' progression at work, quoting our @heather-rolfe.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/5716... via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/5716... via @financialtimes.com
Why the job ladder matters for migrants
Obstacles in progressing are important both for people and for the economy
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:28 AM
"To let people get stuck in jobs that don’t use their potential is a waste — not just for them, but for the economy as a whole." Good piece from @sarahoconnorft.ft.com on migrants' progression at work, quoting our @heather-rolfe.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/5716... via @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/5716... via @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
One of the many reasons extending settlement qualification period to 10 years is a terrible idea. Precarious status makes it harder to get training, better jobs, etc. The policy is economic as well as social self harm. on.ft.com/49vTQC8
Why the job ladder matters for migrants
Obstacles in progressing are important both for people and for the economy
on.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:43 AM
One of the many reasons extending settlement qualification period to 10 years is a terrible idea. Precarious status makes it harder to get training, better jobs, etc. The policy is economic as well as social self harm. on.ft.com/49vTQC8
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
November 3, 2025 at 1:30 AM
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
4.5 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK, and that figure is rising. We’re joining @bigissue.com and 65 other signatories in an open letter urging the government to set child poverty targets in the upcoming child poverty strategy. Read more @theguardian.com buff.ly/hoKSpVb
October 31, 2025 at 10:04 AM
4.5 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK, and that figure is rising. We’re joining @bigissue.com and 65 other signatories in an open letter urging the government to set child poverty targets in the upcoming child poverty strategy. Read more @theguardian.com buff.ly/hoKSpVb
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Thousands of families, including more than 6,000 children, will be hit by the shutdown of a lifeline visa route that allows refugees to reunite in the UK, according to new analysis.
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Thousands of families hit by refugee visa route pause as scale of crackdown revealed
Exclusive: More than 6,000 children will be hit by shutdown after Labour said route was being manipulated by people-smuggling gangs
www.independent.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Thousands of families, including more than 6,000 children, will be hit by the shutdown of a lifeline visa route that allows refugees to reunite in the UK, according to new analysis.
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
There is still a draft bill which would do precisely this: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3970
October 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
There is still a draft bill which would do precisely this: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3970
So important to highlight the challenges facing children & families. Poverty is a key challenge for the 23,000 children receiving asylum support & accommodation with their families. And yet we are unlikely to hear much about this in the upcoming child poverty strategy.
During her time at the centre, Dame Rachel learned about the huge challenges faced by families navigating the asylum system, including food insecurity and malnutrition, unsafe accommodation, disruption to education, and the emotional toll of living in limbo for long periods.
October 29, 2025 at 9:30 AM
So important to highlight the challenges facing children & families. Poverty is a key challenge for the 23,000 children receiving asylum support & accommodation with their families. And yet we are unlikely to hear much about this in the upcoming child poverty strategy.
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
It was an honour to have Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, visit JRS UK yesterday to meet with refugee families and hear first-hand about the experiences of children navigating the UK asylum system. @childrenscomm.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 AM
It was an honour to have Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, visit JRS UK yesterday to meet with refugee families and hear first-hand about the experiences of children navigating the UK asylum system. @childrenscomm.bsky.social
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Farage: epic grifter
October 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Farage: epic grifter
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
Government's proposals are not as obnoxious as Tories'/Reform. But equally obviouy ill-thought out/confused, and those who wrote them didn't understand them/who they would impact.
And as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has pointed out once explained they are unpopular.
ukandeu.ac.uk/immigration_...
And as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has pointed out once explained they are unpopular.
ukandeu.ac.uk/immigration_...
Immigration is down, should the government be happy? - UK in a changing Europe
Jonathan Portes analyses the latest ONS immigration statistics. He argues that net migration has dropped significantly, but that this will expose the...
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Government's proposals are not as obnoxious as Tories'/Reform. But equally obviouy ill-thought out/confused, and those who wrote them didn't understand them/who they would impact.
And as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has pointed out once explained they are unpopular.
ukandeu.ac.uk/immigration_...
And as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has pointed out once explained they are unpopular.
ukandeu.ac.uk/immigration_...
Reposted by Ilona Pinter 🧡
What I think this demonstrates is 3 things (1) This mass deportation policy is wildly at odds with public opinion in general, and with opinion of many sensible Tory voters, members & MPs (2) Many ppl defending the policy didn't know what was in it (3) Informing and pressuring them therefore works
Are the Tories now rowing back on ILR?
Last week Badenoch's spokesman said Katie Lam's comments were "broadly in line" with the party's stance
Now a party spokesperson says it's “subject to an ongoing internal review” following a widespread backlash
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Last week Badenoch's spokesman said Katie Lam's comments were "broadly in line" with the party's stance
Now a party spokesperson says it's “subject to an ongoing internal review” following a widespread backlash
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Tories in turmoil after deportation backlash | The Observer
Conservative immigration policy is in flux after shadow minister Katie Lam's controversial comments
observer.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:48 AM
What I think this demonstrates is 3 things (1) This mass deportation policy is wildly at odds with public opinion in general, and with opinion of many sensible Tory voters, members & MPs (2) Many ppl defending the policy didn't know what was in it (3) Informing and pressuring them therefore works
Lots of interesting findings in HASC asylum accommodation report today including that at end of March 2025, there were 23,758 children receiving Asylum Support (a quarter - 23% - of support recipients) - a huge jump from 15,513 at the end of 2022.
October 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Lots of interesting findings in HASC asylum accommodation report today including that at end of March 2025, there were 23,758 children receiving Asylum Support (a quarter - 23% - of support recipients) - a huge jump from 15,513 at the end of 2022.
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.