Migration Observatory

In 2025, just over 100,000 people claimed asylum in the UK. Our updated briefing explains who claims asylum, how these people come to the UK, whether their claims are successful, and much more. (Link in the next post)

In a surprise turn of events I'm on the front cover of The Actuary magazine... Talking about my new book "What is Immigration Policy For?" Available here for anyone who missed it! bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-is-…

How does migration affect the UK’s public finances? Overall, the impacts are small, but people on different immigration routes have significantly different impacts. Here’s why, in 3 posts…

Why do asylum seekers come to the UK? Our latest Q&A looks at what influences their destination choices, including grant rates, family reunion policies, and the UK's departure from Dublin after Brexit. Link in the next post.

To find out more, take a look at our updated briefing on fiscal impacts. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/brie…

OBR forecasts have generally estimated that higher migration leads to (slightly) lower deficits and debt. How much, though, depends on whether governments use the additional tax revenue to increase public service spending to reflect a bigger population.

You can read the full report here: committees.parliament.uk/committee/519/… And our analysis of earned settlement here: migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/comm…

The Committee was critical of the UK’s migration data. It recommended that the government link visa records to employment, benefit, and public services data to better understand the outcomes of migrants on different visa routes.

A new Lords Committee report on the proposed changes to earned settlement, as well as the UK's approach to integration more generally, was published yesterday. Here are three things you need to know.

Our latest Q&A: Why do asylum seekers come to the UK? migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/comm… examines what factors shape asylum seekers’ decisions to leave their home countries and what the evidence tells is about why some choose to relocate to the UK.

Yesterday marked 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU. Reducing migration was one of the central promises of the campaign, but 7 years later, it reached a record high. Our director, @M_Sumption, explores whether this was accidental or by design. Link in the next post.