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Lucy Leon

@lucyleon.bsky.social
275 followers 418 following 3 posts

Researcher, Global Exchange on Migration at @compasoxford.bsky.social Previously at @CCoMstudy and @childsocpol www.compas.ox.ac.uk/people/lucy-leon

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Reposted by Lucy Leon
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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Madeleine Sumption @msumption.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Published today! My take on why it’s so difficult for governments to make immigration policies that people trust What Is Immigration Policy For? amzn.eu/d/03bM5fDM
amzn.eu
What Is Immigration Policy For? (What Is It For?)
Buy What Is Immigration Policy For? (What Is It For?) by Madeleine Sumption (ISBN: 9781529238587) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Tony Vaughan MP says the settlement reform should be abandoned, not tinkered with, as @ippr.org analysis shows it will increase child poverty by 60,000 - 90,000 yet not make a net fiscal saving at all, because 300k children will wait longer for settlement www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
70 parliamentarians have written to the Home Office saying the settlement proposals are unfair & need a significant rethink
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Strong stuff from the Chancellor 💪🏻 One slight prob: her gov's NRPF policy (which restricts access to MOST benefits not just UC & which they're planning to extend to those w/ ILR) does precisely this: discriminates between children based on where parents are from www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Guardian article on scrapping two child limit
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Dr. Sanne van Oosten @sbvanoosten.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I've had the honour to convene this seminar series about the politics of immigration and exclusion. Looking forward to learning more about the research by @turnbulldugarte.com @profsob.bsky.social @katharinalawall.bsky.social @distasioval.bsky.social and @stefaniesprong.bsky.social + drinks after!
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
United Impact @unitedimpactuk.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
We welcome plans for statutory guidance for local authorities supporting children in families with #NRPF under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. This must come from @departmentforedu.bsky.social not the @ukhomeoffice.bsky.social. It must centre the welfare of the child. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty
Strategy document setting out the government’s ambitious decade long mission to tackle the drivers of child poverty across the UK.
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
United Impact @unitedimpactuk.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
The government released their 10 year strategy to tackle child poverty in the UK. We welcome that #NRPF is mentioned in it, but it shows a failure to end the condition, which leaves thousands of migrant children homeless and destitute ⬇️📽️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4x3...
youtube.com
The harmful impact of NRPF
YouTube video by United Impact
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
Jacqui Broadhead @jacquibroadhead.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
The Child Poverty strategy includes some welcome measures to support migrant children including providing guidance for councils on s17 of the Children Act and gathering better data. Wider measure to limit the use of unsuitable and poor quality temporary accom should also help.
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Some quick thoughts on the child poverty strategy as it relates to immigration & asylum policy (which is what my research focuses on): 1) great to see recognition of children affected by NRPF as part of 'our children, our future' strategy www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty
Strategy document setting out the government’s ambitious decade long mission to tackle the drivers of child poverty across the UK.
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Doctors of the World @dotwuk.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
There have NEVER been ‘unrestricted’ taxis for asylum seekers. Travel to medical appointments has ALWAYS required Home Office approval. Many of the people we support miss urgent care because they can't get there. UK Gov must stop scapegoating people for its poor management ➡️ tinyurl.com/fzsk3aen
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United Impact @unitedimpactuk.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
We have made an animation, to show how the 'No Recourse to Public Funds' immigration condition, has harmed our families: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4x3... Please write to your MP using our pre-filled letter template, to ask them to call for an end to #NRPF: ✍️✉️ win.newmode.net/project17/wi...
youtube.com
The harmful impact of NRPF
YouTube video by United Impact
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Important new blog by @lucyleon.bsky.social on @uk.theconversation.com 'To truly tackle child poverty, the UK needs to look again at migration policy' theconversation.com/to-truly-tac...
theconversation.com
To truly tackle child poverty, the UK needs to look again at migration policy
No recourse to public funds restrictions mean that families cannot access any benefits regardless of need.
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Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
The whole problem with current Labour is encapsulated right here in this paragraph. One hand tries to ameliorate child poverty while the other hand makes it worse. Some of us think immigrants and their children count. That they, too, are people. Some of us don’t.
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
This story was on R4 this morning. For me the fact that this kid has spent 9 of her young 12 years of life on Asylum Support at £5-6/day in deep persistent poverty. 15000 children like her are growing up on Asylum Support each year. But no that wasn't the story. It was why are ppl taking taxis.
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Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Did you know that thousands of migrants are being forced to wait over ten years until they can permanently settle in the UK? And if this Government has their way, over a million more people will be trapped in this decade-long wait. Spread the word. Share this video now. youtube.com/shorts/WDuan...
youtube.com
"The Government treats us like we're temporary"
YouTube video by Praxis, for Migrants and Refugees
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Who is responsible for housing asylum seekers and refugees? Our latest Q and A provides the key answers and explains the process - migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
Q&A: Who is responsible for housing asylum seekers and refugees? - Migration Observatory
This Q&A discusses who is responsible for housing asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
A few of the families I interviewed for my research who were still in the asylum system had been separated from loved ones, including young children who were being looked after by grandparents. This news will be devastating.
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Migration Policy Scotland @migrationscotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Accessible intercultural communication handbook: migrationpolicyscotland.org.uk/project/guid... Local service maps: migrationpolicyscotland.org.uk/project/serv...
migrationpolicyscotland.org.uk
Resources to support Accessible Intercultural Communication - Migration Policy Scotland
For migrants whose first language is not English communicating with service providers can be challenging. Front line and reception staff can also lack confidence and struggle to know how best to help....
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
Migration Policy Scotland @migrationscotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
MPS Assoc Director @ beckakaymcc.bsky.social “It is incompatible with commitments to social justice and poverty reduction to treat migrant experiences of poverty as niche or specialist. They must become part of mainstream policy and practice.” #Migrantpoverty
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Debates on migrants' access to benefits have focused on the costs to welfare spending but there are also costs - both fiscal & social - of continuing to exclude children in resident migrant families from social security protection >> @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social via blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
The Government’s immigration policies are increasing child poverty - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The government has committed to tackling poverty among all children, including those subject to the UK’s asylum and immigration system. But recent reforms and proposals to immigration policy mean that...
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Help please: we're trying to recruit some more parent research participants in Scotland for our #FamilyFinances project. Specifically: parents who are receiving #UniversalCredit and #ScottishChildPayment and who have at least one baby (0-12months) in the household. Can you help spread the word?
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Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Half of low-income families with no recourse to public funds are falling into destitution 📢 We need urgent policy change so that anyone experiencing hardship in the UK has a place to turn for support. Read our latest briefing: www.jrf.org.uk/deep-poverty....
jrf.org.uk
Families with no recourse to public funds are trapped in hardship
Half of low-income families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) are falling into destitution — going hungry, with no safety net to catch them.
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Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 31/07/2025
Thousands of families with children arrive in the UK every year to seek protection. But they are pushed into extreme poverty by the Home Office. Two months ago, the government froze the rates of financial support given to people seeking asylum. This has a devastating impact on children. 🧵
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Kate Roberts @k8roberts.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
96% of trafficked people who, as non British nationals, consented to enter the UK's National Referral Mechanism & were found by the UK govt's identification system to be trafficked were not granted leave. Imagine speaking up, providing evidence, waiting & the positive decision cutting you adrift.
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
🚨Blog post: "Communities provide VITAL support to children & families seeking sanctuary across the UK. But they cannot protect thousands of children from deep & persistent poverty. Only gov reforms can do that." ilonapinter2019.wordpress.com/2025/06/20/c... #childpoverty #RefugeeWeek #asylumsupport
Refugee Week 2025 Community As a Superpower image saying "This Refugee Week, Our Superpower Is..."
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Reposted by Lucy Leon
United Impact @unitedimpactuk.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
We are calling on the government to scrap NHS charging and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Our full campaign & statement to the government is here: www.project17.org.uk/systems-chan... Please share our video and ways to support our campaign below! Thank you! ⬇️⬇️
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Immigration and asylum policy is a key lever for the government in tackling child poverty because of the role these restrictions play in driving and sustaining poverty among children in migrant and asylum-seeking families.
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
@lucyleon.bsky.social and I also published an evidence briefing setting out recent @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social and @compasoxford.bsky.social research on this topic www.compas.ox.ac.uk/publication/...
compas.ox.ac.uk
Poverty among children affected by UK government asylum and immigration policy | COMPAS
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Today MPs will be debating child poverty and the blanket ban on access to social security for migrant families www.politics.co.uk/mp-comment/2...
politics.co.uk
Olivia Blake: ‘Migrant children living in poverty is a hidden crisis’ - Politics.co.uk
As MPs gather in Westminster for today’s spending review, I will be holding a debate on child poverty and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). The discussion could not be more urgent. The debate comes ...
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Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
1 in 3 children living in poverty are migrant children. This is not a coincidence. Hostile immigration rules drive child poverty. Tomorrow, MPs will debate child poverty and No Recourse to Public Funds. Make sure your MP is there - send them an email NOW! act.praxis.org.uk/email-MP-NRP...
act.praxis.org.uk
Email your MP and tell them to attend child poverty debate next week!
On the 11th June, MPs will have the chance to speak up on the immigration restriction No Recourse to Public Funds and how this cruel policy is pushing children into poverty. We see the devastating imp...
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Prof Ruth Patrick @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Over half a million children are affected by the no recourse to public funds condition im the UK, and there’s a high risk of poverty within this group says @ilonapin.bsky.social at #FISS2025
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Migration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
In last month's white paper, the government said the standard route to settlement will change from five years to ten. Our new commentary looks at how many people could be covered by the changes and their potential impact on migrants. migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/co...
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
Changes to settlement: what do they mean? - Migration Observatory
This commentary examines the potential impacts of the recent Immigration White Paper.
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Josephine Whitaker-Yilmaz @josephinewy.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Do policy makers have any idea what their policies do to people’s lives? Spouting about social cohesion while proposing to put millions more people into situations like Nish’s suggests… not?
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Ellie Harwood @ellieharwood.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
@safety-nets.bsky.social project now recruiting participants from devolved nations to explore social security across the UK. Seeking parents/carers of children under 18, who receive social security benefits (incl asylum support), for online workshops. £50 voucher as thanks. safetynets.study/about
safetynets.study
Safety nets — Social security for families in a devolved UK
This project will explore the extent of the devolution of social security within the UK and the realities, risks, and opportunities this poses for families with dependent children.
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COMPAS @compasoxford.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
We are delighted to present our Seminar Series for Trinity Term 2025!🎭 Convened by Nathan Grassi here at COMPAS, this seminar series focuses on how the Arts can advance and illuminate #migrationresearch, elevating the experiences of individuals and acknowledging value across #artistic practices...
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
There's very limited reporting on this aspect of child poverty and yet it affects thousands of families across the UK. We estimated that half a million children had a visa or leave to remain at the end of 2023 that usually comes with an NRPF condition www.compas.ox.ac.uk/publication/...
compas.ox.ac.uk
Poverty among children affected by UK government asylum and immigration policy | COMPAS
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
ICYMI, the seminar recording is now available: sticerd.lse.ac.uk/case/_new/ev... via @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social
sticerd.lse.ac.uk
Living a Differentiated Childhood: Children and families’ experiences of poverty and material deprivation within the UK’s Asylum Support system | Ilona Pinter | Wednesday 26 March 2025 12:00 - 13:00 | CASE Event
An event from the CASE Social Exclusion Seminars series organised by CASE
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Jacqui Broadhead @jacquibroadhead.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Important report on the crisis in temporary accommodation in England. A good number of those children are there because their parents are subject to the NRPF condition, but you wouldn't especially know this from the report - the invisible side of destitution: committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
PAID OPPORTUNITY: Are you or someone you know paid at or around minimum wage? Do you feel your work is insecure? We want to hear about your experiences. Apply to join our advisory group, involving one 2-hour discussion session, with participants receiving £40 for their time.
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COMPAS @compasoxford.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
🌟What is an #expert-by-experience? Recent #research highlights how safety nets fails to meet rising demands and needs of #vulnerable people in the UK. As #local #authorities operate on overstretched budgets, #community researchers like Ann offer valuable expertise through experience of the system🧵
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COMPAS @compasoxford.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Over 2.6 million people are locked out of the #welfare state in the UK and subject to ‘no recourse to public funds’ #NRPF, an immigration policy restricting access to social security. How can local #government respond? Hear from Rupinder in this clip... 🎧Listen to the full episode: bit.ly/3XGUNkz
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Ilona Pinter @ilonapin.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
📢💡Evidence briefing on child poverty in the context of the UK's immigration & asylum system. Earlier this year (Jan), @lucyleon.bsky.social and I published a joint evidence submission to the government's Child Poverty Strategy review🧵
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Lucy Leon @lucyleon.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Really excited to share a podcast that we recorded last year on #NRPF with Rupinder Parhar from local government and Ann, one of the amazing Experts by Experience on our Understanding Migrant Destitution project. Huge thanks to our hosts @oncegingerboy.bsky.social & @jacquibroadhead.bsky.social
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City of Sanctuary UK @handle.invalid · 18/03/2025
We couldnt be prouder to have awarded Islington a Borough of Sanctuary. Now theyve put £500k of funding decisions directly into the hands of people seeking sanctuary. This is what meaningful recognition looks like - putting decision-making power where it belongs. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
‘It’s helping me build my future’: empowering migrant and refugee families in a London borough of sanctuary
In Islington, a panel of people with migrant and refugee backgrounds is allocating £500,000 in grants to directly help new arrivals who are where they once were
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Lucy Mort @lucyhbmort.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Last week, @josephinewy.bsky.social and I published a report on childcare - specifically, how migrant families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) are locked out of childcare support, pushing them deeper into poverty and holding back their children. 🧵👇
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 11/03/2025
📢 | NEW BLOG: Moving from temporary status to citizenship is the cornerstone of a fair immigration system. But recent policy announcements signal a shift towards instability and precarity. This blog makes the case against a reactive, short-term approach. Read more 👇
ippr.org
Citizenship: A race to the bottom? | IPPR
A dangerous shift in citizenship policyThis progression provides individuals with security, fosters stronger communities as people establish their lives in
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amreenqureshi.bsky.social @amreenqureshi.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
🚨 Today, we publish new research that lays bare the scale of child poverty in migrant families. 46% of children in families with non-UK born parents live in poverty - almost double the rate for other children. The govt cannot tackle child poverty without tackling issues in our migration system. 🧵⬇️
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Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
REVEALED: A huge 30% of migrant parents not using childcare are struggling to make ends meet. Our new report with @ippr.bsky.social is out now and here’s what you need to know 🧵 Authors @josephinewy.bsky.social & @lucyhbmort.bsky.social
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COMPAS @compasoxford.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
🌟NEW PODCAST EPISODE🌟 With war comes displacement. The full-scale invasion of #Ukraine forced millions to flee homes and rebuild elsewhere. What role does a #women's agency play in navigating the complexities of #displacement and building resilience? A short 🧵 🎧Listen now: bit.ly/3XGUNkz
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