Fiona Costello
@fionacostello.bsky.social
☘️ Assistant Professor, University of Birmingham. Migration/ EU / Brexit researcher Fellow @ St Edmund's College, Cambridge
What happens if a UK government removes benefits from EU citizens in breach of the withdrawal agreement? My analysis of the likely EU response to Reform Party policy, if ever enacted - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2026/08/what...
What happens if a UK government removes benefits from EU citizens in breach of the withdrawal agreement?
Professor Steve Peers , Law School, Royal Holloway University of London Photo credit : Martin Robson , via Wikimedia Commons ...
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com
"There is little evidence that CTA is widely abused by asylum seekers to reach the UK. However, it needs to be managed." ✍️ Ali Ahmadi, @cbarnard.bsky.social & @fionacostello.bsky.social explain what the Common Travel Area is and if it is used as a route for asylum 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-common-t...
The Common Travel Area (CTA) and Asylum - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello explain what the Common Travel Area is, how it works, and whether it is used as a route for those seeking asylum.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"The proposed repayment scheme is unlikely to make any meaningful contribution to public finances. However, the impact on refugees’ ability to settle, integrate and become economically self-sufficient could be significant." 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/paying-for-t...
Paying for the privilege of gaining asylum in the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello consider the government's proposal to ask refugees to repay around £10,000 towards asylum support that they received while their claim was being proces...
ukandeu.ac.uk
✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi consider the government’s proposal to ask refugees to repay around £10,000 towards asylum support that they received while their claim was being processed.
"So, the new Pact is unlikely to significantly reduce irregular arrivals in Europe and the UK." ✍️ Ali Ahmadi, @cbarnard.bsky.social and @fionacostello.bsky.social look at the impact of changes to the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum that enter into force today 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/after-dublin...
After Dublin: What the EU’s new asylum pact means for Britain? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello look at the impact of changes to the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum that enters into force on 12 June.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Recent data shows that there is a legal aid deficit in every region of England and Wales, including London." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on the problem of ‘advice sharks’ providing poor or fraudulent legal advice to migrants 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-making-o...
The making of an asylum ‘Advice Shark’ economy - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello consider the problems caused by 'advice sharks' providing fraudulent or poor legal advice to migrants in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
New blog on 'advice sharks' charging high fees for poor or fradulent immigration advice 👇
UK in a Changing Europe@ukandeu.bsky.social · 3mo ago"We are also aware of ‘advice sharks’ charging high fees for poor or fraudulent advice, within the wider immigration ecosystem..." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi consider the problems caused by ‘advice sharks’ 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-making-o...
Noelia Martinez CEO of @citzrights.bsky.social opening their 2026 Europe Day conference: 'From Migration Narratives to Lived Realities' part of #festivalofeuropescotland.org
"Simply making conditions harsher in the hope it will deter arrivals appears, based on the evidence, unlikely to achieve the desired effect." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on 'pull factors' & whether stricter asylum policies matter 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/what-are-the...
What are the pull factors for those seeking asylum in the UK? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello look at the reasons why asylum seekers come to the UK and to what extent UK asylum policy is a factor in the decision.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"It will probably not significantly reduce costs or deter new arrivals. It may push even more asylum seekers into destitution." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social and Ali Ahmadi assess govt plans to stop providing support to destitute asylum seekers. ukandeu.ac.uk/asylum-suppo...
Asylum support: discretion in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello argue that government plans to revoke the duty to provide support to destitute asylum seekers...
ukandeu.ac.uk
"The UK’s restrictions on asylum seekers’ right to work do not appear to act as a strong deterrent, yet they drive up asylum costs..." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi ask whether the ban on asylum seekers working actually works 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/does-the-ban...
Does the ban on asylum seekers working actually work? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello argue that while the UK’s restrictions on employment for asylum seekers do not act as...
ukandeu.ac.uk
🏥 "It is clear that there is no quick fix to the UK’s health and care workforce crisis. What should be resisted is the tendency to frame international recruitment as problematic in itself." ✍️ @vvelyvyte.bsky.social on international recruitment in the NHS post-Brexit 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/internationa...
International recruitment and the NHS post-Brexit - UK in a changing Europe
Vilija Vėlyvytė looks at the use of overseas recruitment in the NHS since Brexit and argues that it should be a key...
ukandeu.ac.uk
Ending free movement "led to a modest rise in the number of foreign born workers in the UK, but a dramatic shift in their countries of origin." 💥 New analysis from @jdportes.bsky.social & @johnspringford.bsky.social on the impact of Brexit on immigration to the UK 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-impact-o...
The impact of Brexit on immigration to the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Jonathan Portes and John Springford share their new analysis that estimates how the number of foreign-born workers would have evolved had the UK remained in the EU.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Closing asylum hotels may redistribute costs and pressures rather than reducing them, let alone eliminating them." ✍️ Ali Ahmadi, @cbarnard.bsky.social & @fionacostello.bsky.social look at the implications of the government’s promise to close all asylum hotels 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/closing-asyl...
Closing asylum hotels: What will the policy mean in practice? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello look at the implications of the Labour governmen's promise to close all asylum hotels.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Simply making conditions harsher in the hope it will deter arrivals appears, based on the evidence, unlikely to achieve the desired effect." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on 'pull factors' & whether stricter asylum policies matter 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/what-are-the...
ukandeu.ac.uk
New blog by our Director Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social and Dr @fionacostello.bsky.social
UK in a Changing Europe@ukandeu.bsky.social · 6mo ago"Simply making conditions harsher in the hope it will deter arrivals appears, based on the evidence, unlikely to achieve the desired effect." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on whether stricter asylum policy would act as a deterrant 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/what-are-the...
"Simply making conditions harsher in the hope it will deter arrivals appears, based on the evidence, unlikely to achieve the desired effect." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on whether stricter asylum policy would act as a deterrant 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/what-are-the...
What are the pull factors for those seeking asylum in the UK? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello look at the reasons why asylum seekers come to the UK and to what extent UK asylum policy is a factor in the decision.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Simply making conditions harsher in the hope it will deter arrivals appears, based on the evidence, unlikely to achieve the desired effect." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on whether stricter asylum policy will act as a deterrant 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/what-are-the...
What are the pull factors for those seeking asylum in the UK? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello look at the reasons why asylum seekers come to the UK and to what extent UK asylum policy is a factor in the decision.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"The available evidence shows that there is a far more complex relationship between asylum policy and asylum inflow than a simple ‘pull factor’ model would suggest." ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on why asylum seekers come to the UK ukandeu.ac.uk/what-are-the...
What are the pull factors for those seeking asylum in the UK? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello look at the reasons why asylum seekers come to the UK and to what extent UK asylum policy is a factor in the decision.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Without these, the system risks creating constant administrative churn, expanding backlogs, heavier burdens on public services, and deep insecurity for refugees." ✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposed reforms to the asylum system 🔗 https://ow.ly/uTBI50XY0UG
Can the system deliver on the government’s proposed reforms? - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello explore whether it is possible to deliver the reforms to the asylum system proposed by the Labour government.
ow.ly
"By contrast, rapid processes introduced by the Sunak govt have not led to good decision-making and thus to a large number of (successful) appeals" @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour's proposals to emulate the Danish asylum system ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the key question about the reforms" ✍️ Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system https://ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asylum-appeals-overhaul/
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
📣 NEW EVENT 📣 🇬🇧 British politics has become increasingly volatile and more fragmented To discuss the impact of the UK's changing political landscape, we're bringing together a panel of acacemics, pollsters and MPs 📆 Tues 20 Jan, 1pm GMT Join us online 👇 ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
UKICE Lunch Hour: Changing party politics in the UK - UK in a changing Europe
Join UK in a Chaging Europe online for a discussion on political fragmentation in the UK and what it means for our politics.
ukandeu.ac.uk
Very thoughtful @ukandeu.bsky.social post by our Director Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social @fionacostello.bsky.social and Ali Ahmadi - 'Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the central question...' ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Whether this will reduce delays and costs without increasing the risk of wrong decisions will be the central question about the reforms" ✍️ @cbarnard.bsky.social, @fionacostello.bsky.social & Ali Ahmadi on Labour’s proposals to overhaul the asylum appeals system 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/labours-asyl...
Labour’s asylum appeals overhaul: what the new system means in practice - UK in a changing Europe
Ali Ahmadi, Catherine Barnard, Fiona Costello explain what Labour's proposed overhaul in the asylum appeals process will mean in practice.
ukandeu.ac.uk
What happens when you start with a hostile asylum system that sets people up to fail and then persistently degrade the legal aid system people depend on to accompany them through it, to put together the evidence in the framework of the law.
Chris Bertram@crookedfootball.bsky.social · 9mo agoA grim story
Please read Prof @cbarnard.bsky.social and @fionacostello.bsky.social's excellent @ukandeu.bsky.social Blog on Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - in my view, completely for the birds as the EU would go cold turkey on the UK. ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello examine Nigel Farage's proposal to scrap welfare benefit access for EU nationals living in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
"Considering the implications of reneging on international agreements, a more efficient way to address the numbers of those claiming benefits under the EUSS is to look at low paid or atypical work contracts." 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
Reform’s appetite to put the Brexit deal back in the oven - UK in a changing Europe
Catherine Barnard and Fiona Costello examine Nigel Farage's proposal to scrap welfare benefit access for EU nationals living in the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
A new blog on Reform's proposals to scrap welfare benefits for EU nationals 👇👇
UK in a Changing Europe@ukandeu.bsky.social · 9mo ago"Considering the implications of reneging on international agreements, a more efficient way to address the numbers of those claiming benefits under the EUSS is to look at low paid or atypical work contracts." 🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/reform-and-t...
