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Ben Brindle

@benbrindle.bsky.social
839 followers 130 following 289 posts

Senior Researcher at the Migration Observatory, University of Oxford. #itfc fan, for my sins. For media enquiries, please contact Rob McNeil.

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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 1h
What – no! I adore the EFL Trophy. Shouldn't have U21 teams in it (especially with how it's going), but I was gutted that we wouldn't be able to play in it anymore after Champ promotion
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Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
To Rob Beckett. Incredible. #CelebrityTraitors
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The ONS estimates that the UK population increased by 228,000 between mid-2024 and mid-2025. Births only outnumbered deaths by 5,000. As a result, migration accounted for 98% of the increase (223,000). Here's the full publication 👉 www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Applications are open for the next @ukdsimpact.bsky.social Data Impact Fellows cohort! As a former Fellow, I highly recommend it: £3,500 to support your impact activities, plus opportunities to build networks and develop new skills. Apply by 30 November 👇 ukdataservice.ac.uk/impact/data-...
ukdataservice.ac.uk
Data Impact Fellows 2027-28 — UK Data Service
A comprehensive resource funded by the ESRC to support researchers, teachers and policymakers who depend on high-quality social and economic data.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Fine if you're sat in, say, Alf upper. But Section A or any away end would be a nightmare My only hope is people would have a right go at anyone doing it and it would stop pretty quickly
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Nobody who regularly goes to football matches wants this changed I don't want to be covered in beer every time we score because people are performatively doing "limbs"
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Make sure you sign up for this year's Migration Stats User Forum, which will be chaired by none other than me. As always, there will be some really interesting discussions about migration data.
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In July, 43% of the public said immigration was an important issue affecting the UK, more than any other topic. Take a look at our updated public attitudes briefing to see how views vary towards different migrant groups and who is more likely to hold positive/negative attitudes toward immigration.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Although you should read our fiscal impacts briefing too, of course share.google/gLn2VcTHRZTX...
share.google
The Fiscal Impact of Immigration in the UK - Migration Observatory
This briefing gives an overview of research on the impact of immigration on government finances in the UK and explains the main issues related to estimating the fiscal impact of immigration in the UK.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
This is a really good episode that discusses all you need to know about the impact of migration on the UK's public finances
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
@mark-heath.bsky.social @alexnljones.bsky.social Up the Town, from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Very happy to have contributed the chapter on migration with Peter Walsh. We outline the political debate around asylum and discuss how the fall in net migration may affect the UK economy
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A ridiculous decision, but we've got to keep our heads Not the end of the world – won't define our season. But we'll need the mentality in the games that will
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Real shame because we were the better side in the first half. And then we just... capitulated
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Complete head loss in this second half. Won't define our season, but the good feeling after Sunderland has taken a bit of a battering... #itfc
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Great album. The Other Side of Make Believe was a letdown, but this is a real return to form open.spotify.com/album/2LgXUD...
open.spotify.com
This Mirror Weighs a Ton - Album by Interpol | Spotify
Interpol · album · 2026 · 12 songs
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Reports that small shops and takeaways have hired migrants on Skilled Worker visas have appeared in several media outlets recently. Our new Q&A explains why these employers were able to sponsor migrants, how many actually did, whether the government could ban them from using the visa system + more.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
@mark-heath.bsky.social Looks like you'd better start writing a CV. You're gonna need it when Chat KOA takes over next season
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Madeleine Sumption @msumption.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Brilliantly comprehensive analysis of migration & crime from @benbrindle.bsky.social I learnt all sorts of things, eg that 60% of Albanians' criminal convictions were drug offences, non-citizens rarely get bail, and there's almost zero data on how many ppl liable for deportation aren't removed
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We've updated our briefing on migrants and crime in the UK It looks at whether foreign nationals are more or less likely to be convicted than British citizens, and how many foreign national offenders are removed after serving their sentences Here are the key points.
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Ben Zaranko @benzaranko.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
This week's newsletter is out. What zero-sum thinkers get wrong about migration (with the help of some friendly stereotypes about British Poles); the wonder of the pineapple; the economic importance of silver; and the latest in the great UK productivity debate. Sign up: observer.co.uk/newsletters
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Note that these figures cannot be combined, as some households comprise both EEA and non-EEA claimants. They also include payments to UK and Irish claimants living in the same household as an EEA or non-EEA claimant.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
How much do migrants receive in Universal Credit payments? In the year ending March 2026, the DWP made £80 billion in UC payments – 8.3% (or £6.7bn) was paid to households with at least one EEA-national claimant and 7.7% (or £6.2bn) to households with at least one non-EEA-national claimant.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I just looked at the polo world rankings, and wow, I didn't realise how much they dominated
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Which sports use International Sportsperson visas? Cricket clubs, by quite some distance. They made up 57% of sponsors in the year ending June 2025. Note that this is the number of organisations sponsoring, not the number of IS visas granted. The Home Office wouldn't give me that info.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Only a matter of time before crypto is all over Premier League shirts and stadiums
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Madeleine Sumption @msumption.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Interesting piece from BBC on vape shops & others still registered to sponsor migrant workers I was on Radio 4 at 6.45am to explain why. It's an unintended consequence of post-Brexit expansion that made mid-skilled jobs (eg electricians etc) eligible www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Car washes and vape shops can still sponsor skilled foreign workers despite visa changes
The rules were tightened in July 2025 to restrict the scheme mostly to graduate-level employees who would be earning at least £41,700.
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Nick Ames @nickames82.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
There can be no let-up now. Infantino must stand down or be removed: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
There can be no letup. Humiliated Infantino must stand down at Fifa or be removed | Nick Ames
Uefa’s decisive call for a boycott and declaration of no confidence must be the opening salvos in a concerted push to dethrone the game’s global leader
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Oh yeah, don't trust UEFA for sure. But they were still on the right side of the superleague and of this. For now, why doesn't matter. We'll tackle them when they're the baddies again (like the 24 team Euros)
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Would be tough for them to back down now though? Don't think Ceferin is the definition of a moral football backbone at all, but – in fairness – he's said all the right things recently
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Boy, I really hope the titans of Ipswich beat the giants of Charlton
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
It's too much! I need a break
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
The Migration Advisory Committee has published its recommendation on which middle-skill jobs should be eligible for temporary work visas via the Temporary Shortage List. The headline? Welders and other more technical jobs are in. Jobs that are more generic (e.g., Business sales executives) are out.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
If the qualifying period is increased to 15 years, it will keep study-to-care switchers in the sector for longer before they can acquire ILR and work in any job. But some may opt to leave the UK because this longer wait makes permanent status less attractive. More in our updated commentary:
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
International students entering the UK labour market Migration Observatory
This analysis examines international students staying in the UK for work after their studies, and the jobs they do - including in the care sector.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Between Jan 2021 and March 2026, 52k international students switched into the care sector (44% of people who switched from study to work visas). Will these study-to-care switchers stay in the sector? That will depend on whether the qualifying period for ILR is increased from 5 to 15 years... (1/2)
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
33% of the half added on. How?!
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
What's great about VAR is that it makes the matchday experience worse while we still have clear and obvious errors.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
A World Cup final in daylight just doesn't look right
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
England
static.klipy.com
Ralph Wiggum: I'm in Danger!
ALT: Ralph Wiggum: I'm in Danger!
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Yes!!! Watson will smash them with his guns. You've got the skills but I worry about that ACL
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
How many 10 year olds do you think you could beat in a fight? Ground rules: You have to stay within the pitch at Portman Road, and no weapons allowed.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Since 2021, 160,000 Hong Kongers have migrated to the UK via the humanitarian BNO visa route. Our new briefing looks at BNOs’ characteristics, their economic outcomes, and how many expect to stay in the UK long term. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Turns out that inviting pressure from the best player who has ever lived isn't a great tactic
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Since 2021, 160,000 Hong Kongers have migrated to the UK via the humanitarian BNO visa route. Our new briefing looks at BNOs’ characteristics, their economic outcomes, and how many expect to stay in the UK long term. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
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. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Really interesting piece by Martin Samuel in The Times related to the fact that almost a quarter of players at this World Cup are foreign-born. He says it's evidence that the international game now behaves much more like the club game. www.thetimes.com/article/b0d2...
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Danielle Blake @abradacabla.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This. Is. England.
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
And somehow I'm meant to sleep now?
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Ben Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
That was one of the best football matches I have ever seen, but also one of the most horrible experiences of my life
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