Colin Yeo
@colinyeo.bsky.social
Barrister, blogger and author of Welcome to Britain: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System. Fully updated paperback out now.
New: Authority to carry scheme applies to non-terrorists too — by Colin Yeo
Authority to carry scheme applies to non-terrorists too - Free Movement
The Court of Appeal has overturned an earlier decision that the authority to carry scheme under section 22(3) of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
freemovement.org.uk
There were 14 policy updates yesterday for some reason. @immigrationbot.bsky.social shares an AI-generated summary every time and a link to the FM updates dashboard. There, FM members can see the summary and full tracked changes and non-members can see a clickable link to the original on gov.uk.
Immigration Bot@immigrationbot.bsky.social · 2d agoHome Office updated its administrative review caseworker guidance (version 18.0, 3 August 2026) to add Appendix ECAA Settlement to the list of routes eligible for administrative review, alongside the existing Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay entry.
1/3 We're trying out a new email preferences system for Free Movement. freemovement.org.uk/email-prefer... Non-members can subscribe to the weekly newsletter or daily topic-based email alerts for new blog articles. We did this previously but the system sort of broke down over time.
New: Court provides reminder of the limits of late evidence in appeals and section 120 notices — by Parvez Anwar Pantho
Court provides reminder of the limits of late evidence in appeals and section 120 notices - Free Movement
The Court of Appeal has reaffirmed that a tribunal cannot consider evidence after an application has been decided, unless the Home Office agrees.
freemovement.org.uk
Rob hints at this but it’s worth reiterating that a major failure of the Starmer government was their inability to convey a consistent antiracist message or uphold norms. They confused anger about ‘the boats’ with generalised racism and since they couldn’t denounce the former they avoided the latter
Rob Ford@robfordmancs.bsky.social · yesterdayThis is what happens when anti-racism norms erode, and elites bear a lot of the responsibility for norm erosion, as they have disproportionate power to set and enforce norms
Great article on AI writing in @economist.com. I read a lot online, including the various tech websites, and some of this stuff is driving me a bit mad. What is AI and isn't? Does it matter? Do I write like AI? Does AI write like me? www.economist.com/culture/2026...
How to spot AI writing
Large language models like long words and em-dashes—or do they?
economist.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The right hates The Odyssey because of its ‘wokeness’ – but it missed an even bigger threat to its worldview | Peter Swallow
The new film extols the value of a rules-based world order. That’s far more radical than any casting decision says Labour MP and classicist Peter Swallow
theguardian.com
Went to see Nolan's Odyssey last night and enjoyed it. But what I wanted to talk about afterwards was whether it was intended as a comment on the way our civilisation -- or at least our system of liberal democracy and international law -- dies. Would make a good post by @davidallengreen.bsky.social.
New: How to apply for immigration bail — by Niamh Fegan
How to apply for immigration bail - Free Movement
This article explains how to apply for immigration bail. It covers who can apply, whether to apply to the Home Office or the tribunal, the factors a
freemovement.org.uk
The British Association of Social Workers discourages its members from working for the National Age Assessment Board because of concerns around impartiality, yet the Home Office consistently tries to argue that NAAB assessments should be given special weight. Glad to see this shot down by the UT.
Free Movement@freemovement.bsky.social · 2d agoICYMI: We published Jamie Bell's analysis of a significant Upper Tribunal decision rejecting the argument that National Age Assessment Board decisions deserve special weight. The ruling reaffirms that settled principles, including benefit of the doubt, apply whoever conducts the assessment.
"British farmers are lobbying the government to reverse its decision to end a special visa programme for foreign sheep shearers." — Channel 4 News
Why sheep shearing is in danger in UK
British farmers are lobbying the government to reverse its decision to end a special visa programme for foreign sheep shearers.
channel4.com
Frustrating journo request about Reform's plan to invade France. "Are there specific laws it would breach?" and "would it be challenged in court?" rather misses the point. Torn between thinking scrutiny of reviving the One Hundred Years' War is a good thing and that we should just point and laugh.
Recording now available of the webinar I ran a few weeks ago on use of AI in legal practice: freemovement.org.uk/product/webi...
Using AI safely, lawfully and effectively in immigration practice (recording)
This webinar gave practitioners a clear-eyed introduction to generative AI: what it is, where it goes wrong and how to use it safely in immigration work.
freemovement.org.uk
Key update: automatic deportation threshold for suspended sentences under UK Borders Act 2007 now turns on conviction date, not sentencing date, applying where conviction occurred on/after 22 March 2026. Version 8.0 published 31 July 2026.
Deporting foreign nationals on conducive grounds: caseworker guidance
Enforcement, detention & removals, 03 Aug 2026. Updated the Deportation on conducive grounds Immigration Act 1971 and UK Borders Act 2007 to clarify that the threshold for automatic deportation … Via Free Movement's Immigration Updates Dashboard.
updates.freemovement.org.uk
JOIN US TODAY! Join our IAA Level 2 and 3 exam preparation workshop at 4pm today for advice on exam technique, practice questions and a full mock exam. Book your place here: https://freemovement.org.uk/product/workshop-exam-preparation-for-iaa-levels-2-and-3-aug-26/
The Navy has trailed intervening in the Channel before. James Heappey, the then Armed Forced Ministers, explained to the Defence Select Committee that they concluded it was "unviable" and any collisions would be "a breach of the saving life at sea convention" committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
1/3 We're trying out a new email preferences system for Free Movement. freemovement.org.uk/email-prefer... Non-members can subscribe to the weekly newsletter or daily topic-based email alerts for new blog articles. We did this previously but the system sort of broke down over time.
New: Supreme Court finds illegal working civil penalty notice invalid for failing to specify the basis for liability — by Ross Kennedy
Supreme Court finds illegal working civil penalty notice invalid for failing to specify the basis for liability - Free Movement
The Supreme Court has allowed an appeal finding a civil penalty notice was invalid as it did not state the basis on which the employer was liable.
freemovement.org.uk
There were 14 policy updates yesterday for some reason. @immigrationbot.bsky.social shares an AI-generated summary every time and a link to the FM updates dashboard. There, FM members can see the summary and full tracked changes and non-members can see a clickable link to the original on gov.uk.
Immigration Bot@immigrationbot.bsky.social · 2d agoHome Office updated its administrative review caseworker guidance (version 18.0, 3 August 2026) to add Appendix ECAA Settlement to the list of routes eligible for administrative review, alongside the existing Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay entry.
New: Successful legal challenge for survivor of trafficking forced to steer small boat across Channel — by Emily Soothill
Successful legal challenge for survivor of trafficking forced to steer small boat across Channel - Free Movement
The Home Office has conceded an important judicial review claim brought by a survivor of trafficking who had been forced at gunpoint to pilot a small boat
freemovement.org.uk
Braverman is Home Sec from Sept 2022 to Nov 2023. She inherited highest flows, does get returns to Albania. By replacing temp protection with a ban on processing, she is the major architect of asylum hotels fiasco. (Pursues Rwanda & fails: law + operations. It may have taken 1% 300-500 of 30k-50k!)
Around 100 new organisations have been added to the UK Research and Innovation approved list of employing and hosting institutions for Global Talent visa endorsement, and the list has been reorganised alphabetically. No organisations were removed.
UKRI endorsement: employing or hosting institutions (Global Talent visa)
Work & study, 30 Jul 2026. Added new organisations to the UKRI list of approved research organisations. Via Free Movement's Immigration Updates Dashboard.
updates.freemovement.org.uk
New: Fee waivers: what can you do if you cannot afford to pay your immigration application fee? — by Nath Gbikpi
Fee waivers: what can you do if you cannot afford to pay your immigration application fee? - Free Movement
This article will look at when it is possible to get a fee waiver on an immigration application submitted from within the UK. If you are interested in fee
freemovement.org.uk
New: Fee waivers: what can you do if you cannot afford to pay your immigration application fee? — by Nath Gbikpi
Page Not Found - Free Movement
freemovement.org.uk
Even people doing graduate level jobs like engineers, academics, scientists, architects and vets could be forced out. They’ll be put on the 10 year route which means their ILR application will have to be made after April 2030. Most earn over £41,700 but the issue is the occupational going rates.
Burnham's spanner in the works leaves UK government tech scattered across Whitehall www.theregister.com/public-secto...
Burnham's spanner in the works leaves UK government tech scattered across Whitehall
Splitting up responsibility for digital transformation and procurement while AI gets a seat at Cabinet risks incoherency
theregister.com
New: Secret Home Office policy capping trafficking leave at 12 months declared unlawful — by Ralitsa Peykova
Secret Home Office policy capping trafficking leave at 12 months declared unlawful - Free Movement
The Upper Tribunal has ruled that the Home Office unlawfully operated a secret, unpublished practice of limiting many recognised victims of trafficking to 12
freemovement.org.uk
