Migration news roundup week commencing 01 December 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

While there were some headlines government wanted as net migration fell again, by 69% to 204,000 (in the year ending June 2025, mainly due to fewer people coming to work or study) the latest immigration figures show a record of over 110,000 asylum claims (year ending September 2025) and a 2% rise in asylum seekers being housed in hotels (at over 36,000 people). There was an increase in initial asylum decisions (to 133,500, with a grant rate of 45%) and a fall in the backlog (to 81,000) albeit set against a rising number of people awaiting appeals. People arriving in small boats were 53% higher at nearly 45,700 people. (Sources: Office for National Statistics, Home Office, BBC) 

On detention and removals: 

• A group of asylum seekers due for removal to France went on hunger strike. (Source: the Guardian) 

• In Sheffield, police and immigration officers worked on an operation that identified people seeking asylum working illegally as delivery riders. (Source: BBC) 

• Reports about immigration detention have identified ‘shockingly low’ levels of legal representation and concerns over the use of excessive force and restraint. (Sources: Bail for Immigration Detainees, Independent Monitoring Boards) 

Specific migrant groups

On the asylum system: 

• While the Home Secretary often referred to Denmark when outlining proposed changes to the asylum system, this article compares asylum applications and policies between the UK and several EU countries. This piece considers legal implications, including the likelihood of legal challenges where proposals limit the rights of individuals. (Sources: Independent, Institute for Government) 

• This parliamentary briefing describes why an asylum claim can be deemed ‘inadmissible’ and not considered due to coming from or travelling through a 'safe' country. (Source: House of Commons Library) 

• ‘Restoring Order and Reducing Costs’ sets out a thinktank's three step plan to end hotel use, including using more community based hosting schemes as well as quickly granting limited leave where people are likely to be granted in the longer term. (Source: Future Governance Forum) 

• A man who spent 17 years trying to be recognised as a refugee in the UK describes the traumatic consequences of inadequate legal advice. (Source: the Guardian) 

This article describes impacts of the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation being turned back to 28 days, including homelessness and fears of being targeted by the far right. (Source: The Lead) 

On children and young people: 

• This article examines how proposed asylum policy changes create uncertainty and present further risks to already vulnerable children. (Source: The Conversation) 

• This data report highlights the ongoing issue of unaccompanied asylum seeking children and child victims of trafficking going missing from care, with policy, systemic failures and inadequate safeguarding exacerbating the problem. (Source: ECPAT UK) 

• The Ukrainecast podcast featured a special episode for World Children’s Day answering schoolchildren’s questions and hearing stories from Ukrainian children in Kyiv and in the UK. (Source: BBC, 38 minutes) 

• In anticipation of a UK child poverty strategy, this article calls for linkage to migration policy, specifically the No Recourse to Public Funds policy. (Source: The Conversation) 

On modern slavery: 

• The Salvation Army, which holds the contract to provide care for victims, has published its latest annual report highlighting a decrease in people accessing support, which could be due to fewer positive decisions on their claims. (Source: The Salvation Army) 

• A new, open access book evaluates the effectiveness of anti-trafficking interventions. (Source: UCL Press) 

Cohesion and integration

The police decision to reveal the ethnicity and nationality of crime suspects is contributing to prejudice, according to 50 charities that have written to the Home Secretary. (Source: the Guardian) 

The Chief Executive of the Refugee Council reflects on the change in public attitudes to refugees and asylum seekers. (Source: the Guardian) 

A poll found half of adults interpret displays of the England flag as sending anti-migrant or anti-ethnic minority messages (with less strong results regarding the UK flag). Nearly half of people from ethnic minority groups feel uncomfortable when England flags are displayed locally. (Source: YouGov) 

This article asks: is racism becoming more acceptable in the UK? It examines the ‘norm against prejudice’ keeping racism in check, and while overt racism is still taboo, claims subtler forms are on the rise. (Source: The Conversation) 

The latest Immigration Attitudes Tracker finds much misunderstanding on migration, with most people believing immigration increased last year despite falling and overestimating how many people claim asylum – incorrectly believing it to be higher than migration for study or work. (Source: British Future) 

International news

New immigration rules in Ireland include requiring asylum seekers to contribute up to 40% of their income towards housing costs if they’re working and in state-provided accommodation. (Source: Reuters) 

The US plans to end temporary immigration protection for citizens of Myanmar, affecting almost 4,000 Myanmar citizens with this status. The President also announced a review of green card applications from 19 ‘countries of concern’ after an Afghan was named as a suspect in a shooting. (Source: Al Jazeera) 

Stories that inspired us this week

Citizen of the World choir, whose members are people seeking asylum and their allies, is launching an album on 4 December. (Sources: Citizens of the World, Echo of Your Voice) 

Fishergate primary school in York has been awarded Sanctuary status for promoting an inclusive environment for all children. It is York's first primary school to receive this recognition. (Source: BBC)