Despite its aims, the Immigration Bill is unlikely to reduce undocumented migration to the UK
Critics, who represent a wide range of interests, have called the Bill ‘unworkable’.
Jill Rutter
Jill is an Associate Fellow at IPPR. She writes for Left Foot Forward on a range of issues that include family policy and migration.
Migration statistics – the hidden stories
Quarterly migration statistics were issued today and the data show few surprises.
Opinion: On Immigration Labour Must Do Better
Jill Rutter criticises Chris Bryant’s recent comments on immigration.
There are no easy solutions to undocumented migration
It has been another week when immigration stories have been in the news, with horse trading over the accuracy of the International Passenger Survey – used by the government to estimate net migration – and calls by the think tank Demos to restrict EU migration.
The government’s drive to cut immigration risks splitting up families
In two weeks time the daughter of one of my friends will get married. This happy occasion will be marred by the fact that soon after the wedding her new husband may have to leave the UK. Despite his high earning potential, new rules about family migration, introduced in July 2012, will exclude him from obtaining a spouse’s visa.
Ending the race to the bottom on immigration
Over the last five days the leaders of three political parties have made speeches about immigration. Cameron’s latest speech suggests that there is now a race to the bottom on immigration.
Dynamic economies need low-skilled migration
Migrant workers have been key to the recent success of intensive horticulture and food processing. Without them, many businesses in these sectors would have gone under. It is time the migration debate acknowledged the contribution made by low-skilled migrants.
After Eastleigh: It’s time for progressives to argue the case for migration
Over the last two weeks in Eastleigh, UKIP forced home the message that uncontrolled immigration is an inevitable consequence of the UK’s membership of the EU. It’s time for progressives to leave the bunker, stop sounding weak, introspective and contrite and get out there and argue the case for migration.
Bulgaria, Romania, concerns about immigration and attitudes to EU membership
The debate over Bulgarian and Romanian migration shows that concerns about immigration are now inevitably intertwined with attitudes to EU membership.
The principles of migration policy
Following this week’s IPPR paper on the subject, Jill Rutter looks at the principles of migration policy.