JonathanThomas

Senior Fellow & the Migration Researcher at @SMFthinktank. Many Interests but only tweet about migration. You have to draw the line somewhere.

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

'Brexit and the UK Constitution' the online book is out TODAY - what self-respecting 'EU referendum 10 years on' stuff isn't out today? - from @Con_Soc
Very happy to have contributed the chapter on Brexit and Immigration: an even zippier, beach read version - perfectly timed for the melting weather - of my published essay of earlier this year.
https://t.co/H3LyBSb2qa

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

Should the UK cap international student numbers?
For @ucl The Bridge podcast.
I debate with @UniversitiesUK
https://t.co/qKY0SnfZlA

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

The 7 inch version of my recent long player on what UK could learn from how Switzerland rebuilt public trust in its asylum system

[PoliticsHome @politicshome]

There is no magic bullet for running an asylum system, but the Swiss example demonstrates that a much better way of doing things is possible, writes the @SMFthinktank's @JTmigratory https://t.co/E253GgW8sb

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

Everyone else has been obsessing about Denmark.
But what lessons can the UK learn from how Switzerland reformed their asylum system? 
Not just from what they did, but also how they did it. 
My report - for @SMFthinktank, sponsored by @SercoGroup - is out today: https://t.co/3YHCGPzIag

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

https://t.co/NQaMk1ZuuO

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

Brexit and Immigration: the Arc of the Pendulum

My report out today for @Con_Soc trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?

https://t.co/wLaMcTq03c

[Social Market Foundation @SMFthinktank]

As the Home Secretary set out asylum and returns policy changes , SMF Senior Fellow @jtmigratory argued the Govt's Danish-style immigration plans must meet the high expectations they have set.

Read Jonathan's full reaction👇
https://t.co/RDBmIFKsba

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

My published letter to The Economist in response to its recent article on asylum seeker right to work in UK. 
https://t.co/0guG6mdcQ5
The asylum seeker right to work 'debate' is beset with simplistic thinking on both sides. My report for @SMFthinktank : https://t.co/EWoxP1sKuk

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

When I wrote about the looming fight in the UK over Indefinite Leave to Remain - back in May for @SMFthinktank - it was a niche topic.
Now it dominates party conference speeches and radio phone-ins.
Glad to have contributed to this v thoughtful and balanced piece.

[Bloomberg Opinion @opinion]

UK immigration policy is dancing to a Dutch tune after a University of Amsterdam paper made the question an economic issue, writes Matthew Brooker https://t.co/Lr2cKq8Ism

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

My take on yet another change of Home Secretary.
And in defence of the last one.

[Social Market Foundation @SMFthinktank]

Britain has a new Home Secretary - and Shabana Mahmood has been tasked with talking and acting tough on immigration.

In his latest blog, @JTMigratory asks what Mahmood can do compared to her predecessor - and whether this is about real experience, or just a changing of narrative

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

Some reflections on a flag raising summer. https://t.co/xdCM57bGrA

[Social Market Foundation @SMFthinktank]

Assisted Voluntary Returns was central to Reform’s migration pitch last week — but the SMF has made the case since 2019.

AVR is key to a fairer, more effective system.🤝

✍️@jameskirkup in @SpectatorOz: https://t.co/tgnQTEPZDA

📚@JTMigratory research: https://t.co/TPXHGXsiFx

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

3/
Social care visa developments: small window now – in both space and time (until July 2028) – to enter UK social care jobs through graduate route
But other factors may push against. Like the huge recent depreciation of the Nigerian currency.
Can intl students afford the UK?
We shall see.

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

1/ Start of the HE academic year.
'Hello international students. Don't forget to leave' may seem a strange welcome message. https://t.co/pFySn74NkH
But might international student numbers into the UK remain higher than many expect. Why?

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

2/
1. Relative attraction of UK vs US craziness & uncertainty + Canadian and Australian numerical restrictions - UK graduate visa remains in place & no cap on numbers +
2. Lower tariff unis = increasingly struggling for domestic students; finances remain highly dependent on intl students

[Social Market Foundation @SMFthinktank]

Nigel Farage has outlined his plan to tackle illegal immigration

Can the incredible really sound so credible? And how could the government seize back the initiative?

✍️@JTMigratory investigates in his latest blog

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

The Incredibles
Nigel Farage's plan to tackle illegal immigration has the government on the ropes, how can it respond?

https://t.co/VgYGjJd10q

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

Level of formal education = big dividing line on many issues in Western democracies - inc immigration = graduates typically pro more open policies.

If many graduates now loading up with debt for worse outcomes than overall workforce, might the dividing line blur? And what might that mean for policy preference?

[Kyla Scanlon @kylascan]

thanks! https://t.co/yZSPE6hy5L

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

Today's big UK immigration news.

Apparently one of the world's toughest negotiators - the EU Commission - confirms that it is going to be really tough to negotiate with. https://t.co/QALlNPWwiU

As I said here - that's the point. https://t.co/qRWPMxr154

[JonathanThomas @JTmigratory]

UK Govt = addicted to keeping scary immigration stories in the news.

Yesterday Serbian gang bosses
Today asylum-seeking Deliveroo drivers
Tomorrow ...?

Even though it doesn't improve its popularity + people would otherwise be blissfully unaware.

What's wrong with bliss?

https://t.co/EBiNi6MZhk