Tackling racism will benefit us all, from fairer institutions, to more equitable wealth distribution, creating healthy communities where everyone has the ability to prosper. Read the full open letter on our website 🔗

Open letter calling on the Prime Minister to implement a national antiracism strategy

Over 100 organisations are urging the Prime Minister to commit to developing and implementing a cross-governmental anti-racism strategy.

runnymedetrust.org

From widespread racist violence, to attacks on places of worship and burning down homes and businesses of people of colour, our new Prime Minister is inheriting a country which is ripping at the seams.

Good news. But Rayner's point that it is un-British and unfair, as well as economically and politically counterproductive, to change the rules retrospectively applies to other workers on medium- skilled work visas (technicians/chefs/etc) www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...

Foreign care workers could be exempt from tough new visa rules

Andy Burnham is considering an exception to Shabana Mahmood’s reforms that increase the timeline for permanent residence from five to 15 years

thetimes.com

Very cool job helping us learn as we use a systems change lens to address stigma through our programmes, policy and advocacy work. A chance to innovate and think deeply, alongside some brilliant colleagues!

Turn2us@turn2us.org.uk · 2w ago

We’re hiring a Research & Learning Manager to help us understand what real impact looks like in complex work: co-production, place-based approaches, stigma, systems change. Permanent | FT | £46,901 | Hybrid Closes 9am Fri 7 Aug: https://app.beapplied.com/apply/k3z1lek1b2

Study: Women boosted more by early-career funding than men. Results could inform how UKRI designs future grant schemes to retain talent. www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...

Study: Women boosted more by early-career funding than men - Research Professional News

Results could inform how UKRI designs future grant schemes to retain talent

researchprofessionalnews.com

A social security take-up strategy would be a game changer for preventing financial insecurity in the UK. Huge potential to reduce the system-wide costs of poverty by ensuring everyone has enough money to live with dignity and begin to save for the future.

Independent Age@independentage.bsky.social · 3w ago

Last week, we took our new research on the benefits of a take-up strategy to Parliament. Through activities and speeches, we highlighted the potentially transformative impact a take-up strategy could have for older people on a low income. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

The politics of this were insane. For Labour to go out with a set of obnoxious and hasty migration reforms that were clearly going to have to be rowed back upon and not think it wasn't going to get trapped in a pincer movement, bonkers. Where did they see the political win coming exactly?

Jonathan Portes@jdportes.bsky.social · 3w ago

And here. A very explicit endorsement of a "remigration"/deportation agenda from Badenoch.

The problem with this is also that it hurts children disproportionately because unlike adults children will miss out on child benefit which has widest coverage & children more likely to be in poverty than working age adults and pensioners.

Jonathan Portes@jdportes.bsky.social · 3w ago

(3/4) Changing rules/time limits on benefit access ex post is *not* the same thing - we do it all the time (eg my pension age!). That doesn't mean it's a great idea - it will increase poverty, be administratively complex, and various exemptions/workarounds will be needed.

I hadn't noticed until I read @sonial77.bsky.social's substack that the immigration rules changes laid yesterday contain a significant change to the asylum process (despite the explanatory note saying it's "minor"). From 3 August, people can be refused asylum without a substantive interview.

Visualised: how conflict, aid cuts and health-worker attacks are helping Ebola spread in DRC

Visualised: how conflict, aid cuts and health-worker attacks are helping Ebola spread in DRC

The rapid spread of the virus has been intensified by misinformation and violence towards volunteers and treatment centres

theguardian.com

Anyone making count binface badges? Feels like there's a market.

This is just amazing.

Politics UK@politicsuk.com · 4w ago

🚨 WATCH: Count Binface responds to the BBC unmasking him live on Newsnight

Great to see evidence from our submission reflected in the report, particularly the quotes from @changingrealities.bsky.social participants: appgmigration.org.uk/wp-content/u... who highlighted the risks associated with ongoing poverty & uncertainty for families living in the UK 🧵

Ilona Pinter@ilonapin.bsky.social · 4w ago

APPGs report on incoming asylum & immigration reforms & effects on poverty published today by APPG on Poverty & @appgmigration.bsky.social - appgmigration.org.uk/appgs-publis...

APPGs report on incoming asylum & immigration reforms & effects on poverty published today by APPG on Poverty & @appgmigration.bsky.social - appgmigration.org.uk/appgs-publis...

APPGs Publish New Report on the Effects of Recent Changes to Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Policy on Poverty and Inequality.  - All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration

The APPG on Migration and the APPG on Poverty and Inequality are pleased to publish our  new joint report, The Effects of Recent Changes to Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Policy on Poverty and Inequa...

appgmigration.org.uk

Last summer we experienced a sustained and terrifying misinformation campaign. @tbij.bsky.social has just laid bare the ecosystem which generated, amplified and profited from it. www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026...

How migrant charity City of Sanctuary was targeted by the far right

City of Sanctuary promotes compassion for asylum seekers and refugees. It has met a torrent of rightwing hate and misinformation

thebureauinvestigates.com

DfE: Families in England will see the cost of going to school slashed from Sept, as guidance capping costs on branded uniforms is issued & more free breakfast clubs confirmed Parents at 1,400 more schools will save up to £450 through free breakfast clubs from Sept, when more than 2,700 will be live

Not really sure this is a 'surprise comeback' is it?

The i Paper @theipaper.com · last mo.

Makerfield MP Andy Burnham is being tipped to appoint two senior Blairite figures to the House of Lords – amid growing speculation that Ed Balls could soon join David Miliband on the red benches 🔴 Exclusive from Caroline Wheeler & Kitty Donaldson Read more: trib.al/EFNVWWm

To handicap them and any family they have here with crippling debts, artificially prolong their temporary status and prevent them becoming citizens, as this Labour government is doing, is morally unforgivable and, ultimately, absolutely terrible social and economic policy as well.

A few token places on safe and legal routes for refugees cannot in any way mitigate or atone for what this government has done and is doing on asylum or immigration policy. A thread trying to be clear-eyed about this.

Tune in now for our take over of the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk Work & Pensions & Education Select Committee. Seven parents sharing experiences & expertise about what needs to change if we are to make a real dent in child poverty [ w/ @cpaguk.bsky.social ] www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

Parliamentlive.tv

Work and Pensions Committee and Education Committee

parliamentlive.tv

Of course the Home Office hasn’t produced any impact assessments of these policies as they’re “still in development”. Even though people are already getting 2.5yrs leave and the legislation for bits of it is now going to be scrutinised.

It’s hard enough to run a functioning asylum system, but the package of polices the Government is enacting on the refugee tax, temporary leave and longer settlement means the Home Office will need a whole new system for refugees as well, up to and beyond 20 years after they have been granted.

At the moment, a family of four receiving asylum support is getting about 60% of UC + CB and about 20% of median income, which according to HO protects them from destitution. Will this mean benefit recipients will have some benefits taken away through UC deductions? Suggests they might in EN

Sounds like asylum destitution test could be used to determine who has to repay in some way; this would be a very low threshold. Might be the first time that the asylum destitution definition and benefits means testing fully collide? (See screenshot below)

Summary of the Home Office Impact Assessment for Asylum Bill is hilarious (if it weren't so depressing). HO analysts say "basically no evidence to suggest *any* of these policies will work *even on their own terms*" (but will probably cost money). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a43e1...

Bill seems to confirm that families with children and other dependents (24) will be required to pay back some of the asylum support provided to them, even though children themselves will not be subject to the requirements (23).

Ilona Pinter@ilonapin.bsky.social · last mo.

Refugees who have been accepted as having a fear of persecution and have often spent months/years in deep poverty without access to employment during the asylum process, will be expected to pay £10,000 before they can settle. Several problems here. www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...

Refugees who have been accepted as having a fear of persecution and have often spent months/years in deep poverty without access to employment during the asylum process, will be expected to pay £10,000 before they can settle. Several problems here. www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/new...

Asylum seekers to be told to repay £10,000 under new UK rules

independent.co.uk

I'm very excited to say that my colleagues Helen Connolly and peer researcher Amina will be presenting findings from our London Councils' participatory study on the Needs of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People living in London at the @imiscoe.bsky.social conference tomorrow morning!

Vandalism, taunts and hijabs torn off: Muslim leaders in UK say hate crime hitting new levels

Vandalism, taunts and hijabs torn off: Muslim leaders in UK say hate crime hitting new levels

Ministers accused of being more hesitant to respond as Reform has risen in polls, due to fear of ‘saying wrong thing’ During the May local elections in England, a canvasser was out in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham campaigning for her party. At one doorstep, the occupant asked if she was Muslim. When she said yes, he told her she should be hanged. It is one of dozens of stories that Akeela Ahmed, head of the British Muslim Trust (BMT), the government’s official partner for monitoring anti-Muslim hatred, has heard in recent weeks. Continue reading...

theguardian.com