Migration news roundup 23 June 2025

This Migration News Roundup presents a selection of news, policy, research and statistics from the previous week on migration-related topics. The contents of each story do not necessarily reflect the views of Migration Yorkshire.

• UK borders and migration policy
• Specific migrant groups
• Cohesion and integration
• International news
• Stories that inspired us this week

UK borders and migration policy

This article describes how people smugglers are adapting their small boat methods to prevent intervention and detection. This briefing gives an overview of data on people reaching the UK by small boat. (Sources: BBC, Migration Observatory)  

Keir Starmer is considering linking the issuing of British visas to certain countries with potential returns agreements and preventative measures to prevent irregular migration. (Source: BBC)  

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood argued that the European Convention on Human Rights needs reform to maintain public trust, particularly around offenders from overseas. (Source: the Guardian)  

Specific migrant groups

Refugee Council warned the high number of initial asylum refusals is moving the problem to a different part of the system, as the number of outstanding appeals reaches 50,000. (Source: Refugee Council)      

Ukrainians who sought sanctuary in the UK voiced their anxiety about the short-term nature of their visas, many of which expire in the next 18 months, causing problems with maintaining housing and employment. Some Ukrainians have claimed asylum to gain indefinite leave to remain. (Source: Independent)  

Updates on children and young people include:   

• London Councils propose significant reform to the asylum and care system for unaccompanied children (Source: London Councils)  

• Barnardo's shares concerns on proposed use of AI in the age assessment process, highlighting fears of greater inaccuracy. (Source: Big Issue)  

• Actor and War Child ambassador Carey Mulligan highlights the work of international aid agencies to support refugee children. (Source: Independent)  

In the week of Windrush Day:  

• Clive Foster, a pastor in Nottingham, has taken up a new role as the first Windrush commissioner. His top priority is to improve the Windrush Compensation Scheme. (Source: BBC)   

• A review suggests a lack of funded legal aid meant many people received less compensation through the Windrush scandal than they were entitled to. (Source: the Guardian)      

On international students, Home Office data shows a rise in applications for study visas in 2025, compared with the last two years. Meanwhile, an independent evaluation reveals Wales has the strongest growth in international students pursuing higher education in the UK. (Sources: VNExpress International, The Pie News)   

At the end of 2024, people who migrated to the UK made up nearly a fifth of the workforce. This briefing gives an overview of data on job types, income and employment rates. Data also suggests restricting access to work during the asylum process led to worse job outcomes in the long term. (Source: Migration Observatory)   

Cohesion and integration

As the theme of this year’s Refugee Week is ‘Community as a Superpower’, we’ve seen several resources on the importance of community in keeping well:  

• Refugee Week Ambassador Awssan shares his story of the help he received from neighbours and the importance of community cohesion. (Source: Big Issue)  

• Strong community links contribute to physical and mental health in people who are refugees or seeking asylum, according to this article. (Source: Mental Health Foundation)  

• People seeking sanctuary in the UK describe the peer support and caring communities they have built, noting that this should not be a substitute for the care they receive from the state. (Source: Big Issue)  

International news

Due to a 42% rise in Channel crossings, France will expand its legal powers to stop boats up to 300 metres offshore. This comes as French police used tear gas on a large group of people attempting to reach a dinghy bound for the UK.  (Sources: Reuters, Sky) 

Stories that inspired us this week

During Refugee Week:  

• 40 Bradford College ESOL students perform Shakespeare’s the Tempest, a tale which has parallels with their experiences as refugees. (Source: BBC)  

• The Royal Pump Room Museum in Harrogate hosted creative workshops with Afghan women, who shared their stories through art. (Source: Harrogate-News)  

The ‘story sack’ programme in Swindon, which offered people from a refugee background the possibility to read books in both English and their native language, has helped participants to improve their English skills. (Source: BBC)