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?
Judgment handed down in the Epping Hotel case (that filled the news cycle for days). Perhaps the most striking paragraph:
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Judgment handed down in the Epping Hotel case (that filled the news cycle for days). Perhaps the most striking paragraph:
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
Reposted by Luke Piper
🚨🚨🚨
Our new report on hotel accommodation drops today.
These hotels are not 5*. Here's the proof.
Relying on testimony from clients, photos & medical evidence, you can now see the awful reality of hotel life.
More updates throughout the day so watch this space.
www.ramfel.org.uk/asylum-hotel...
Our new report on hotel accommodation drops today.
These hotels are not 5*. Here's the proof.
Relying on testimony from clients, photos & medical evidence, you can now see the awful reality of hotel life.
More updates throughout the day so watch this space.
www.ramfel.org.uk/asylum-hotel...
Asylum Hotels Report
Our new report, Profiting from People: Inside the UK’s Asylum Hotels , exposes the true horrors that refugees face whilst housed for years on end in asylum hotels. We’ve long known this, and now...
www.ramfel.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
🚨🚨🚨
Our new report on hotel accommodation drops today.
These hotels are not 5*. Here's the proof.
Relying on testimony from clients, photos & medical evidence, you can now see the awful reality of hotel life.
More updates throughout the day so watch this space.
www.ramfel.org.uk/asylum-hotel...
Our new report on hotel accommodation drops today.
These hotels are not 5*. Here's the proof.
Relying on testimony from clients, photos & medical evidence, you can now see the awful reality of hotel life.
More updates throughout the day so watch this space.
www.ramfel.org.uk/asylum-hotel...
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.
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.
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?
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?
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 AM
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.
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.
This should be good.
HASC questioning Migration Advisory Committee on UK immigration challenges.
committees.parliament.uk/event/24901/...
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
This should be good.
HASC questioning Migration Advisory Committee on UK immigration challenges.
committees.parliament.uk/event/24901/...
HASC questioning Migration Advisory Committee on UK immigration challenges.
committees.parliament.uk/event/24901/...
Reposted by Luke Piper
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'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
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'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...
Reposted by Luke Piper
🚨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...
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
🚨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...
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...
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.
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
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.
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-...
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
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-...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...
Reposted by Luke Piper
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
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
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
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
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?
Our latest polling shows concerns about immigration are manufactured
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Polling shows immigration concern ‘manufactured’, say campaigners
A YouGov poll found only 26% of people said immigration and asylum was one of the three most important issues facing their community.
www.standard.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 8:17 AM
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?
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...
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
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...
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...
The LAA's PowerBI data map linked to in this piece is VERY interesting.
October 30, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The LAA's PowerBI data map linked to in this piece is VERY interesting.
Reposted by Luke Piper
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
New from Free Movement: Job ad: Work Rights Centre are recruiting a Trainee Solicitor | Free Movement
I can think of some not very nice things the Home Office could do with this approach...
HMRC have now said the number of people who have been contacted and had their child benefit suspended is closer to 23,500 than up to 35,000 as previously stated.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
HMRC cuts child benefit for 23,500 families based on incomplete travel data
UK tax agency apologises after flagging people as having emigrated, often when they return via different routes
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I can think of some not very nice things the Home Office could do with this approach...
Reposted by Luke Piper
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...
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
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...
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...
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.
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
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.
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
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
Reposted by Luke Piper
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
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.
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
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...
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
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...
Reposted by Luke Piper
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
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
Reposted by Luke Piper
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
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
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
Read our statement bit.ly/48K3TmK
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’ 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
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’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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
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.