Blogs
We publish blogs that draw on data and research, and through them we inform debate, spark discussion, and explore the wider implications of current developments.
Analysis, Commentary and Research Updates
Explore our latest publications on immigration and asylum policies. Stay informed with well-researched insights.
War In Iran Will Only Make Britain’s Migration Crisis Worse
The regional fallouts of the conflict engulfing Iran are yet to reveal themselves, but one catastrophic consequence is definitely not in doubt: Britain’s migration crisis will further deepen. Iran is already the nation from which…
Learn MoreIs The Prime Minister’s Plan Working?
Can the government stop the boats? Speaking in Dover today, the Prime Minister gave an update on his pledge to stop small boats crossing the English Channel. Illegal crossings, he said, are down 20 per…
Learn MoreA Passage From India – Explaining The Unexpected Rise Of Indians Crossing The Channel
This week the government disclosed that in 2023 Indians have been the second largest group of people illegally crossing the English Channel in small boats, making up 18 per cent of all crossings. Although the increase…
Learn MoreFrom Baghdad To Bournemouth – Granting Refuge To Terrorists
It emerged in the Daily Mail recently that among those who illegally entered the UK in a dinghy last year were 19 suspected terrorists, several of whom are thought to have been members of the…
Learn MoreDoes Britain Think Immigration Is Too High?
Polling is central to modern politics. For governments, it is a means of testing public reaction to policies. More and more nowadays it is done with focus groups to test the popularity or otherwise of…
Learn MoreResponding To Labour Shortages – Is More Immigration The Answer?
Since leaving the European Union and emerging from the Covid-19 Pandemic, the topic of workforce immigration has rarely been far from the headlines. Whether it is increasing the number of agricultural workers, nurses or hospitality staff…
Learn MoreWhat’s The News On Modern Slavery Abuse Among Asylum Seekers?
In recent years, the amount of modern slavery claims being made by asylum seekers has risen substantially. In 2022, claims reached a high of 17,000 of which just a quarter were for sole UK nationals. Earlier this…
Learn MoreImmigration Rises To 1.3 Million: Visa Grants For Foreigners To Live Here Double In 3 Years
The number of visa grants for people to come and live in the UK has more than doubled from over half a million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022 (see the full Home Office bulletinand our press…
Learn MoreNearly 7 In 10 Of Those Coming In Boats Are Young Men As 500% Increase In Afghan Dinghy Arrivals Helps Drive Surging Illegal Immigration
The figures show that 54,090 people attempted to enter illegally in 2022, and 45,755 of these by small boat. The boat figures are an increase of 1.6 times on the number of people that arrived…
Learn MoreMigration Watch UK Comment on Points-Based System | Migration Watch UK
A Points-Based System would be hopeless for the UK Commenting, Lord Green of Deddington, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: The issue is confidence in the government’s intention to reduce immigration from the EU. This is what the public voted on, not on a particular system. In fact the Prime
Update On The Fiscal Impact Of Immigration
1. Professors Dustmann and Frattini from the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration at University College, London have commented (see here) on our paper on the Fiscal Impact of Immigration to the UK published earlier this year (see here). 2. This blog picks up on their key points 3.
Social Market Foundation Report Based On Highly Questionable Assumptions
A new reportfrom the Social Market Foundation suggests that an economic slowdown following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will lead to a slowing of migration – perhaps to the tens of thousands – without requiring the imposition of any actual controls on migration. Any such conclusion is thoroughly

At current levels of immigration to England a new home will be needed every five minutes over the next 25 years | Migration Watch UK
The DCLG has today released its 2014-based Household Projections for England for the period 2014-2039. Commenting, Lord Green of Deddington, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: Yet again government officials are playing down the impact of immigration on household demand. Today’s DCLG publication focuses only on the principal projection of
Uk Population Rises By More Than 500,000 In A Year To Reach 65.1 Million
The ONS has today released the Annual Population Estimates for mid-2015. The UK population is now 65.1 million, an increase of 513,000 on the previous year. See the full ONS data here. The increase in the population was down to two factors, natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration. Of
Are Migrants An Economic Benefit To The Uk?
1. Overall, migrants in the UK have been, and continue to be, a net fiscal cost to the UK Exchequer. Only recent migrants from the EU14 have made a net positive fiscal contribution. Immigration has not been shown to have any significant impact, either positive or negative, on GDP per