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Jon Featonby

@jonfeatonby.bsky.social
8.5K followers 444 following 890 posts

I do refugee and asylum policy at the Refugee Council, so most likely a lot of the posts will be about that.

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Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Trying to follow the progress of the Immigration and Asylum Bill? I've had a go at building in the amendments and showing their potential effects: bills.freemovement.org.uk
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Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I've had a go at building them into the bill tracker: bills.freemovement.org.uk
bills.freemovement.org.uk
Immigration and Asylum Bill · Bill Tracker
Read a UK immigration or asylum Bill clause by clause, with the effect of each amendment on existing legislation shown underneath. A Free Movement tool.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Good also to see the Lib Dems on the committee pushing for a return to refugees being granted 5 years leave and then being able to access settlement.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Two of the government ones are quite welcome, trying to increase advice and representation at the new appeals body. No detail, but good the need has been acknowledged.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The first lot of substantive amendments to the Immigration and Asylum Bill have been published. Includes quite a few government ones. publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
publications.parliament.uk
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Also quite misleading to say children will be exempt from the refugee tax. Yes a 5 year old won't be expected to pay but their parents will and that will still keep that child at destitution levels, taking vital earnings and benefits income from families.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The Home Office have published a few "factsheets" on the Immigration and Asylum Bill - www.gov.uk/government/p... One new commitment would seem to be that victims of modern slavery will be exempt from the refugee tax.
gov.uk
Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026: factsheets
Information about the Immigration and Asylum Bill, introduced to Parliament on 30 June 2026.
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Iain Dale said he had never heard the word "ethnonationalism" until a couple of years ago on his show. "It's a posh word for racist, basically", I suggest. LBC have put that on X x.com/LBC/status/2...
x.com
LBC (@LBC) on X
'It's a posh word for racist, basically.' With ethnonationalism on the rise in British politics, @Sundersays gives @IainDale an unfiltered explanation on what it means.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Seems to go to a 404 page. I think you’re missing an ‘s’ on the end of career!
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JUSTICE @justicehq.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
In this letter to @thetimes.com, Lord Carlile, @bricksilk.bsky.social and Sir Max Hill explain why the ECHR is a national security asset. The three former Independent Reviewers of Terrorism Legislation wrote the foreword to our recent paper on the subject: justice.org.uk/news/former-...
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David Anderson @bricksilk.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Letter printed in The Times today
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Naomi Smith @pimlicat.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This is just beautiful youtu.be/cP5JCtqOgnM?...
youtu.be
The refugee girls from Afghanistan and Iraq who escaped the Taliban learn to surf Devon waves
YouTube video by The Mirror
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markjoselin.bsky.social @markjoselin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Finally, @stellacreasy.bsky.social raised the need for the left to shape the debate, criticising the dysfunction and wastefulness of the asylum system and pushing for a focus on root causes. She also emphasised the contribution refugees make in the UK, and the need for that to be part of the story.
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markjoselin.bsky.social @markjoselin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Imran Hussain, from @refugeecouncil.bsky.social, talked about positive steps the Government has made - scrapping the Rwanda deal and processing asylum claims more quickly. But he also emphasised the need to make sure decisions made are of a high quality, and for the Govt to provide a new narrative.
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markjoselin.bsky.social @markjoselin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
@robfordmancs.bsky.social highlighted the need for public consent for the asylum system, the Govt's success at getting small boats numbers down and closing asylum hotels, and the value of safe and legal routes in building support for refugees.
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markjoselin.bsky.social @markjoselin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
With @anooshc.bsky.social as our chair, we heard first from @johnmct.bsky.social who talked about the problem created if the Government appears to not have control of its borders, but also the need for the Government to be telling a better story, one aligned with Labour values.
Picture of audience and speakers at Refugee Council Labour Party Conference eventPicture of audience and speakers at Refugee Council Labour Party Conference event
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Act Build Change @actbuildchange.com · 29/09/2026
💼 Policy and Advocacy Manager at @4refugeewomen.bsky.social actbuildchange.com/opportunitie... We’re looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager to join our small but mighty Campaigns team.
actbuildchange.com
Policy and Advocacy Manager at Women for Refugee Women
We’re looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager to join our small but mighty Campaigns team.
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NACCOM @naccomnetwork.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
‘Moving Forward’ with @homelesslink.bsky.social highlights our national and local recommendations to improvxe the move-on process and prevent refugee homelessness. Read it now ➡️ naccom.org.uk/moving-forwa...
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Home Secretary talking about "reopening" the UK Resettlement Schemes. I assume she means she'll allow UNHCR to make referrals again. There were 296 arrivals on UKRS in the first half of the year, so people have still been coming. In the last year, arrivals on UKRS dropped by around a half.
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Chancellor John Healey praises the RNLI, "risking their lives to save others on the sea" - part of "the quiet patriotism that makes Britain great"
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In the year to June 2026, arrivals on resettlement schemes dropped by 50% - around 3,500 fewer people arrived. And @refugeecouncil.bsky.social estimates that since it refugee family reunion was "paused" last September, around 20,000 people have been prevented from applying.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Safe and legal routes are a good thing, and welcome that Mahmood is going to be saying this later today. But, has to been seen in the context that arrivals will be in the hundreds, and the Government have shut down the Afghan scheme and refugee family reunion. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
UK to open new refugee resettlement routes for Afghan women and Palestinians
Exclusive: Move by Shabana Mahmood comes after closure of Afghan scheme last year but experts say numbers too small to deter Channel crossings
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Also under current proposals they won't be allowed to be social care workers after 2028. Ministers still don't seem to understand their own plan.
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Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Hampshire police say man was arrested on suspicion of destroying ships or endangering their safety under the Aviation & Maritime Security Act 1990, criminal damage, criminal damage with intent to endanger life, & conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals under Merchant Shipping Act 1995
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Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 23/09/2026
These are mums, dads and children. Families just like ours. They deserve the chance to live with dignity, stability and hope. Our clients speak to @thetimes.com about the realities of life for families living in asylum hotels. 🗞️ Read here: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
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Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
5. After around 30 hours at sea, the dinghy was intercepted by the RNLI and those on board transferred to two lifeboats. Two lifeboat personnel tried to secure the empty dinghy. Thomas yelled abuse and knifed the dinghy to deflate it - with a rescuer still on board.
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Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Worrying scenes in the Channel today, for all interested in asylum policy and maritime tactics. A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
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Electronic Immigration Network @ein-website.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Lords committee raises concerns over Home Secretary’s power to change immigration rules with no parliamentary scrutiny www.ein.org.uk/news/lords-c...
ein.org.uk
Lords committee raises concerns over Home Secretary’s power to change immigration rules with no parliamentary scrutiny
Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee draws attention to powers under section 3(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1971 after error in March's HC 1691
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Interesting report by the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee on how the Home Office managed to accidently delete a section of the immigration rules, and the workaround that highlights the lack of parliamentary scrutiny of the Home Secretary's powers publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5902/ld...
publications.parliament.uk
House of Lords - Twelfth Report - Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Earlier this week I gave evidence to the public bill committee scrutinising the Immigration and Asylum Bill. One topic covered was the proposed "refugee tax", and @refugeecouncil.bsky.social's concern that it will force people into destitution (thanks @4refugeewomen.bsky.social for the clip)
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Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The RNLI has said the abuse of volunteers in Portsmouth has forced it to close the lifeboat station there and stop operating since September 10. Nearby stations have been providing cover to the area instead. One of the UK's largest coastal cities without a lifeboat because of the far-right.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I was sat in the room for that panel, and I thought it was a very important point, and from an interesting voice on it.
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CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A committee of MPs heard evidence on the Immigration and Asylum Bill this week. This is one important concern about the proposed new appeal system with non-lawyers as judges:
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Abena Oppona-Asare has been elected chsir of the housing, communities and local government select committee
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Catherine Atkinson has been elected to chair the Justice select committee
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Sorry, it was reduced decisions. 10k refusals in Q2, down from 14-16k per quarter for the last year and a half.
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marleymorris.bsky.social @marleymorris.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Today @ippr.org we're calling for a major overhaul of citizenship policy. Our new report argues that new migrants to the UK should be seen as potential citizens. This means the process of obtaining citizenship should be both more accessible and more meaningful. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Applicants for UK citizenship charged more than five times the admin cost
Fee of £1,709 compares with an estimated administrative cost of just £324, according to Home Office data
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The number of asylum decisions in the Spring dropped significantly, which will help. What I think becomes hard to factor is in what the impact of the new 24 week deadline will be, as all of these appeals will pre-date that. Presumably they've all gone to the back of the queue.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The statistics are available here www.gov.uk/government/s... Nothing in the Government's asylum reforms will sort out initial decision making. Instead, lots of time and money will go into creating new systems that will make refugees' lives harder.
gov.uk
Tribunals statistics quarterly: April to June 2026
Type and volume of tribunal cases received, disposed of or outstanding. This also includes statistics on the Gender Recognition Certificate applied for and granted by HMCTS Gender Recognition Panel.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
All of this highlights the concerns about the quality of initial decisions being made by the Home Office - but this week the falling grant rate has been held up as a policy success. What's it's actually doing is putting unnecessary pressure on the appeals system, at great human and financial cost.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
38% of all asylum appeals disposed of had been withdrawn - which continues to be far above the historical norm of 10-15%. Assuming most of those are Home Office withdrawals, around two-thirds of asylum appeals that are dealt with end up in a withdrawal or the tribunal overturning the refusal.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
New tribunal stats out this morning - at the end of June there were 90,741 asylum appeals outstanding, around 117,000 people. That's around three times the size of asylum backlog now. A year earlier it was 60,000 cases. The average time to disposal of an appeals increased again to 72 weeks.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The membership of the bill committee for the Immigration and Asylum Bill is up now. Evidence sessions take place next Tuesday committees.parliament.uk/committee/84...
committees.parliament.uk
Immigration and Asylum Bill - Membership - Committees - UK Parliament
Committee membership for the Immigration and Asylum Bill.
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Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Incidents like this have happened with increasing regularity over the past couple of years, with many triggered by local misinformation about the arrival of non-white people at hotels But it has also happened elsewhere, including a church gathering in a park and a Scout trip to an activity centre
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In an article about the number of asylum refusals that are being overturned at appeal, the Home Office response boasts that "The asylum grant rate has been slashed from 77 per cent in 2022 to 38 per cent this year". No concern about whether decisions are correct. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
thetimes.com
Two thirds of rejected asylum claims overturned on appeal
The number rises to more than eight in ten for Afghans. Almost 5,000 migrants who have had appeals dismissed are still living in taxpayer-funded accommodation, data shows
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
England's young people performing esp well, putting UK in the top ten for maths, reading and science. One driver of bucking trend is better integration: closing white/minority attainment gap for children of migrants, where west European countries lag www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
England’s teenagers outperform peers in most countries in maths, reading and science
OECD test sees results dip in almost all member nations and warns of ‘digital distractions’ eroding academic skills
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Lauren Starkey @laurenhstarkey.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Men will send me emails like this and then go rampaging on the streets of Dover and Portsmouth claiming they want to keep refugees out in order to “PROTECT OUR WOMEN!” Not a single one of the young male refugees I’ve worked with has ever spoken to me with such violent misogyny.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The Home Office are either withdrawing or losing the vast majority of appeals against Afghan refusals that are getting processed, and have been for a while. But there seems to be very little acknowledgement of that in terms of how initial decisions continue to be made.
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Sonia L @sonial77.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Someone really needs to start asking these ministers about the sustainability of those initial decisions: thoughtsonimmigration.substack.com/p/asylum-out... Hardly what I would call "progress"
thoughtsonimmigration.substack.com
Asylum outcomes by nationality at initial application and appeal stages, plus what is happening with Syrian settlement applications? The latest stats and FOI data
The latest immigration and asylum statistics have been published and there are two points that I am interested in and so have looked at (well, three, but the third one is asylum claims based on sexual...
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Sarah Jones, the Home Office Minister who made the statement on the Dover and Portsmouth far right activity, claimed that the drop is asylum grant rates is a “marker of progress”. So fewer people being recognised as refugees is a good thing, no matter whether those decisions are correct?
Screenshot of Sarah Jones comment: We also need to do more to reduce the incentives for people to come into the country. The asylum grant rate, which is a statistic that I have not mentioned yet, has fallen from 77% in 2022 to 38% this year. That is another marker of progress, and we are reforming the asylum system more widely.
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