The Latest Breaking News from the Migration Observatory

UK Settlement Grants Hit Highest Level Since 2010 as Nearly 200,000 Migrants Race To Beat Britain's Tightening Residency Rules

The UK granted a record number of settlement permits in 2026, driven by policy changes and a surge in applications from Hong Kong and EU nationals, amid ongoing political debate.

International Business Times UK · Aug 27

How to buy a ‘mega-dinghy’: the perilous new model of Channel crossing

Boats carrying hundreds of people are a clear and alarming trend. But where do such large vessels come from?

The Guardian - UK · Aug 15

Fact check: Small boat deaths and fake image of Andy Burnham running

Round-up of fact checks from the last few days compiled by Full Fact.

The Independent UK · Aug 7

Is Labour really failing on immigration and asylum hotels?

Though the asylum backlog is at its lowest level since 2021, the government is still housing over 100,000 asylum seekers. A third of these are in hotels, which cost millions a day.

The Independent UK · Aug 20, 2025

Hotels, barges, military sites: where can England house people seeking asylum?

Ministers said to be considering a ‘range’ of options after hotel protests and high court ruling – but choices are limited

The Guardian - UK · Aug 20, 2025

Fact check: ‘Channel migrants’ in prison and fake ‘Amazon’ deals

Round-up of fact checks from the last week compiled by Full Fact.

Evening Standard · Jul 10, 2025

What’s in the one-in-one-out migrant deal between the UK and France?

Macron and Starmer have agreed a deal aimed at preventing migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

Al Jazeera · Jul 10, 2025

Starmer and Macron are up against a small boats crisis – but how many migrants cross the Channel and who gets turned away?

IN NUMBERS: SMALL BOATS CRISIS: The prime minister wants a radical deal with French authorities as data shows migration on small boats is at its highest-ever levels despite 4 in 10 migrants being prevented from crossing the Channel. Alicja Hagopian reports

The Independent UK · Jul 9, 2025

Wednesday briefing: Can Macron and Starmer solve the small-boats crisis?

In today’s newsletter: As the French president arrives in the UK for a state visit, tackling migrant crossings in the Channel is top of the agenda

The Guardian - UK · Jul 9, 2025

Fact check: More people leave than arrive on current youth mobility schemes

Current schemes, which are mainly with countries with smaller populations, might not accurately predict how future schemes will perform.

The Independent UK · Jun 5, 2025