Migration news roundup 30 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

The Albanian prime minister has described post-Brexit Britain as ‘a very dark place’ as he criticised the UK government’s plans for return hubs in third countries. Meanwhile, parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has found that a number of amendments are necessary to the government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for it to ensure human rights are protected. (Sources: the Guardian, UK Parliament)  

A new briefing analyses the effect of potential labour shortages in the sustainable energy sector because of the government’s migration policy, concluding that ‘net zero and housebuilding missions may be imperilled’. (Source: Centre for European Reform)  

In a move to increase capacity in the prison estate, from September offenders from overseas will spend less time in UK prisons and be deported sooner into their sentences. (Source: Ministry of Justice)  

The government will be meeting with food delivery firms, such as Just Eat or Deliveroo, to address the issue of undocumented labour in the gig economy. Drivers were arrested following reports that they were ‘sub-letting’ their accounts to newly arrived migrants with no work permits. (Source: InfoMigrants)  

Specific migrant groups

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration is calling for evidence for their inspection of asylum casework. The deadline for submissions is 2 July (Source: Gov.uk) 

The Home Office’s decision to put Syrian asylum claims on hold is facing legal action from five people affected by the 7 month pause. (Source: Independent) 

From 16 July, EU nationals and their families are able to be absent from the UK for longer periods of time, without losing eligibility for settled status. Relatedly, a list of organisations funded by the Home Office to support vulnerable individuals with EUSS applications has now been updated. Migrant Help continues to provide general support across England, while one organisation – Kirklees Citizens Advice and Law Centre – will be able to help with complex applications in the Yorkshire and Humber region. (Sources: Free Movement, Home Office) 

While events have been held across our region to celebrate and commemorate the Windrush generation, one of the founders of Windrush Day has called for judge-led public inquiry into the scandal, saying that the mistreatment of Black Britons wrongly accused of being in the UK illegally had not been treated seriously enough. (Sources: BBC, the Guardian)  

New research on the experiences of young people that are unaccompanied and seek asylum living in London highlights the need for asylum systems to be more focused on the needs of young people. (Source: Electronic Immigration Network) 

Quite a few modern slavery stories this week: 

• This new resource based on discussions between London local authority modern slavery leads considers challenges and practical solutions in responding to modern slavery. (Source: Human Trafficking Foundation) 

• Research finds that homelessness can be both a driver and consequence of modern slavery. This report makes recommendations for prevention. (Source: Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner)  

• Also on prevention, this evidence review explores UK strategies and interventions to inform the Scottish Government’s strategy on the issue. (Source: Scottish Government) 

• Finally, a report on the experiences and needs of young survivors of modern slavery as they turn 18 concludes that ‘there are insufficient safeguards in place to ensure continuity of support’. (Source: Hope for Justice) 

Cohesion and integration

A new report looks at the significant challenges refugees face while settling into a new community, including housing, health, employment and family life. It concludes that a new Refugee Integration Strategy is needed. (Source: Refugee Council) 

The new Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion is currently looking for participants for its national conversation and engagement stage. The body was formed in the wake of last year’s riots and aims to make evidence-based recommendations on how to create a more connected sense of community. (Sources: Living Well Together, BBC) 

International news

Ukraine has opened embassy in Mauritania and supported refugee camps through its “Grain from Ukraine” food aid program since 2022. In addition to strengthening regional stability and humanitarian cooperation, through these initiatives Ukraine aims ‘to win friends in Africa’. Elsewhere, Italy and the EU have launched a €235 million debt relief initiative for Africa, to address migration drivers through investment in agriculture and infrastructure. (Source: Reuters) 

Belgium announced expansion of targeted ‘border checks’ taking place inside the country, as part of a policy shift aimed at reducing irregular migration through the Schengen area. (Source: Infomigrants) 

Stories that inspired us this week

In Hull, the CEO of Roche Civil Engineering, Daniel Roche, met with two people seeking asylum from Sierra Leone in order to understand their experiences and how they could contribute to businesses in the UK. He suggested that having people he talked to on his team could help ‘solve a big headache in the industry’. (Source: BBC) 

King Charles welcomed a group of refugee professionals to Buckingham Palace, to mark the end of their refugee employment mentoring programme which saw them paired with members of the Royal Household. (Source: Express)