75 years after the Refugee Convention was opened for signature on 28 July 1951, it remains the foundation of the international refugee protection system and one of the most consequential international legal instruments ever adopted.

Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, good to see David Miliband calling on govts to muster "political courage” on refugee protection He said we know what works: “legal certainty, investing early in integration & sharing responsibility fairly” www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07...

75th anniversary of refuge convention is 28 July 2026 David Miliband wants govts & civic advocates to defend core principles & explore multilateral reforms & national integration approa that helps deliver them. In spirit of this FGF contribution www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/news/governm...

Government should lead the renewal of international refugee protection to deliver a system that’s fairer, safer and more controlled.  - Future Governance Forum

As the US government calls for major new restrictions to international refugee law at the UN General Assembly, a new essay from The Future Governance Forum (FGF) argues the UK must lead international ...

futuregovernanceforum.co.uk

Encouraging to see Andy Burnham considering an expansion to the one in one out deal with France. FGF published a report last week (in the comments) – co-developed with @migrationpolicy.bsky.social – calling on the incoming govt to pursue exactly such an approach. www.ft.com/content/4d07...

With MPs due to debate the govt's new asylum bill today, one key question facing them will be how to tackle small boat arrivals. FGF’s new report suggests closer cooperation with Europe is the best way forward. Check out the full report here 👇 www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/ret...

Rethinking Migration 01 - Future Governance Forum

Cutting the number of small boat crossings is crucial to restoring public trust in government. The next Prime Minister will have three years to achieve a significant reduction in irregular Channel cro...

futuregovernanceforum.co.uk

A new Prime Minister will not have long to decide their own approach to Channel crossings. With the UK-France pilot due to end in October, Burnham faces a choice: To let the deal wither, or use it as the foundation for a new era of UK-EU migration cooperation...

Widely described as a "loophole", but it is more "what the act explicitly and deliberately says" www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/7...

One of the questions we've had about our latest report is whether the public would back this type of 'routes for returns' approach, whereby the UK sought a deal with European partners We suggest the answer is yes 🧵

@bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social · 4w ago

It's also an approach that could unite Labour's voter coalition rather than fracture it. Our polling shows nearly 2/3rds Lab voters support this approach including 67% of voters lost to Reform but still open to Lab.

Public concern about small boats continues to dominate & distort the debate on migration, and refugees continue to face exploitation & danger on their journey to the UK So how do we suggest the government responds? 🧵

The Future Governance Forum (FGF)@futuregovforum.bsky.social · 4w ago

🚨Published today 🚨 Today FGF publishes a new report setting out how the new PM can win back public trust and deliver on one of voters’ top priorities by creating an asylum system that is fair, controlled and workable. Full report in comments.

A typically great piece of work by my colleagues @bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social and @emilyagraham.bsky.social out today: how to bring down the number of Channel crossings in a meaningful, sustainable and humane way - via a 'routes for returns' arrangement with Europe

@bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social · 4w ago

What should a new PM do about the Channel? We've published our next report on this topic today arguing the govt should prioritise expanding the deal with France to other EU countries starting w a 6-month 'circuit breaker' to dramatically change the incentives of getting into a boat. Here's why...

Great opportunity for someone with research experience (2 years, professional or academic) to join the policy world/work on really important issues -

The Sutton Trust@suttontrust.bsky.social · 4w ago

🚨 Want the chance to produce impactful research on education and social mobility? We're recruiting a creative and committed Research and Policy Officer to join our team! Apply by 24th July ⤵️ recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/8017266...

The perennial question of what to do about the Channel: how to prevent people risking dangerous journeys, how to deliver on the right to seek asylum & how to build trust in asylum system Our new report, published today by @futuregovforum.bsky.social, sets out a credible, evidenced response 👇

@bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social · 4w ago

What should a new PM do about the Channel? We've published our next report on this topic today arguing the govt should prioritise expanding the deal with France to other EU countries starting w a 6-month 'circuit breaker' to dramatically change the incentives of getting into a boat. Here's why...

I continue to be struck by how few Cabinet ministers and ex-ministers the impacts + implications of this complex 8-tier settlement policy - esp the sheer scale of Commonwealth voters who risk losing legal status in 2028. Is it remigration by stealth - or by mistake? ukandeu.ac.uk/unsettled-st...

Unsettled status: the policy and politics of indefinite leave to remain - UK in a changing Europe

Sunder Katwala looks at the government's proposed reforms to the settlement rules in the UK as part of its immigration overhaul and asks whether they could meet the fairness challenge.

ukandeu.ac.uk

Polly is absolutely right. In this moment, we need more democracy, not less @pollycurtis.bsky.social's full op-ed: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Britain is in a doom loop: people mistrust democracy and politicians. I say a hope loop is possible too | Polly Curtis

There are ways to address the lack of faith. And unless Starmer, Burnham or Streeting do that, the issue of who is PM is moot, says Polly Curtis of Demos

theguardian.com

New job vacancy at Care Rights UK: Policy, Campaigns and Communications Lead This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join their small (but mighty) team & make a real difference to the lives of older people needing care Apply before 22 June 👇 www.carerightsuk.org/news/hiring

We’re hiring! — Care Rights UK

Could you be our new Policy, Campaigns and Communications Lead? Apply today!

carerightsuk.org

Interested in how migrants' outcomes change over time? Good news! The Hong Kong BNO Panel Survey is now available from the UK Data Service. The survey asks BNOs about their social and economic outcomes, future migration intentions, and loads more. datacatalogue.ukdataservice.ac.uk/studies/stud...

Under proposed reforms, NHS nurses will get settlement in 5 yrs. In social care, nurses must wait 15 yrs - 3x longer, despite being promised 5yrs when they came What does this say about prioritisation of social care? These reforms might be immigration changes, but impacts will be far-reaching

Heather Stewart@guardianheather.bsky.social · 3mo ago

“They’re punishing us for the low wages that they themselves have set” - this week’s column on Labour’s settlement reforms: www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Wrote about what its like to be surrounded by people not having a crisis of confidence in progressive ideas for a weekend. We need more imagination and more confidence in our values to shape the future - and that's especially true on migration.

The Future Governance Forum (FGF)@futuregovforum.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Over the weekend FGF’s Beth Gardiner-Smith was in Barcelona for the #GlobalProgressiveMobilisation conference. What was so striking, she says, was the confidence with which SD and liberal values were promoted – and how different this feels from much of the debate in the UK. shorturl.at/2Ix8v

Are we facing a migration crisis, or a crisis in progressive imagination? 👉 New blog from @bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social arguing that progressives must not only be confident in defending liberal values (including asylum) but also ambitious in acting on those values to shape the future

The Future Governance Forum (FGF)@futuregovforum.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Over the weekend FGF’s Beth Gardiner-Smith was in Barcelona for the #GlobalProgressiveMobilisation conference. What was so striking, she says, was the confidence with which SD and liberal values were promoted – and how different this feels from much of the debate in the UK. shorturl.at/2Ix8v

Govt's proposal to reform settlement policy (incl requiring care workers to wait 15yrs before they can settle) will not save £10bn, as they previously suggested @jdportes.bsky.social new analysis of govt's own (prev unreleased) data suggests actual saving would be £600m - a substantial difference 👇

Too often now the debate about human rights protections has been dominated by accusations of overreach or abuse of these safeguards & protections But what about when these rights are absent? This week, there’s been an important step forward as the govt closes a gap in human rights protection 👏 🧵

QUNO in Geneva is #NowHiring Programme Assistants for the 2026-2027 term! This opportunity introduces emerging professionals to work within the UN system and the guidance of Quaker values. Apply by 8 May: https://quno.org/newsroom/applications-are-now-open-for-2026-programme-assistants-in-geneva/

Applications are now open for 2026 Programme Assistants in Geneva - QUNO

QUNO's office in Geneva is now accepting applications for Programme Assistants to join our Human Impacts of Climate Change (HICC) and Human Rights &

quno.org

Important point of clarification 👇 There was already a proposed carve out for many public sector workers in the original proposal, so to offer this group an accelerated route would not be a concession. Care workers & others would still face 15yr route, refugees 20yrs etc

Sonia L@sonial77.bsky.social · 4mo ago

This was already in the consultation

With the Home Sec announcing a new community sponsorship scheme, Hannah shares what's 'new' in what the Home Sec has promised and what the opportunity is - from govt devolving power & working in partnership with communities to building public consent Read more 👇

The Future Governance Forum (FGF)@futuregovforum.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Hannah Gregory, Global Director, Knowledge and Sponsorship at Pathways International, explores how a new model of Named Community Sponsorship could re-shape the #asylum system in the UK. Read Hannah’s guest blog for FGF 🔽 futuregovforum.substack.com/p/from-white...

💥 Today @futuregovforum.bsky.social launches our new three-year strategy 💥 Our work on asylum & migration will continue - exploring how we can deliver a more effective approach to asylum & migration that sustains greater public confidence and remains consistent with int. law & progressive values 👇

Nathan Yeowell@yeowell.bsky.social · 4mo ago

After years of crisis the UK needs a radical change of direction. Our new Three Year Strategy aims to put FGF at the forefront of designing and sustaining a new vision for Britain - and will help our work transforming the state to renew the nation 🔽🔽🔽 futuregovforum.substack.com/p/transformi...

*Job opportunity* We're looking for someone to lead our strategic legal work, using legal cases to benefit families and children in poverty. Please share with anyone who might be interested: cpag.org.uk/jobs/current...

A few thoughts on earned settlement after a busy week. (1) Govt is going through consultation after over 200,000 people responded, far higher than other consultations of this type. This means there is still a lot up for grabs to shape the policy, including transitional measures.

The latest Parliament Matters podcast includes a look at how changes to immigration are, or rather, aren’t, scrutinised by parliament. It’s probably not a surprise that I really enjoyed being able to join the conversation.

Hansard Society@hansardsociety.bsky.social · 5mo ago

PODCAST | New episode now live 1️⃣ Immigration Rule changes: rarely debated and last "disapproved" by MPs in 1982 - why? @jonfeatonby.bsky.social joins us to explain. 2️⃣ Crime & Policing Bill: amendments on abortion and AI 3️⃣ #AssistedDying bill latest 🎧 buff.ly/KONukLo

On earned settlement reforms, some suggestion in press reports that govt could be looking to 'ease impact' of policy changes But there seems to be some confusion in the current debate about what exactly has been proposed Quick check 🧵

And good point from @josephinewy.bsky.social that these estimates are likely conservative as analysis looked only at children with parents on work visas - true impact could be higher bsky.app/profile/jose...

Emily Graham@emilyagraham.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Govt's plans to double (or more) the length of time it takes for migrants to qualify for settlement in the UK risks exacerbating child poverty, according to new analysis by @ippr.org Poverty will be prolonged for 60,000-90,000 children of foreign workers by 2029 www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...