Jonathan Thomas

Sandwiched in my latest paper (pgs 27/28) I question where this government's asylum reforms leave Ukrainians in the UK who never wish to return. Short answer: in a potentially difficult spot. Actual answer: will likely be more complicated. Probably just as well. www.smf.co.uk/publications...

My new paper out today: www.smf.co.uk/wp-content/u... 'Inside Out: Why and how falling immigration numbers could result in increasing political and public tensions and divisions over immigration in the UK'

My defence of capitalism and 'big business'. The hugo spritzes of Wetherspoons funding the NHS while combatting loneliness. gracetruth.blog/2026/09/12/t...

The Home Affairs Committee, @demos-uk.bsky.social and @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social have published their findings following engagement events around the country, like this one in Leicester, exploring public perspectives on workforce migration. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/committee/83...

What a privilege and pleasure to be involved in this endeavour as one of the two expert speakers who took part in the Leicester workshop with the public, over a May weekend. Particularly loving the colourful picture on page 9 of the report that captures that.

'Brexit and the UK Constitution' book is out TODAY - what 'EU referendum 10 years on' stuff isn't out today? - from @consoc.bsky.social Inc my chapter on Brexit and Immigration: beach read version - perfectly timed for the melting weather - of my earlier essay.   consoc.org.uk/publications...

Should the UK cap international student numbers? I debate with Jamie Arrowsmith @universities-uk.bsky.social On UCL The Bridge podcast www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuv0...

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

I forgot to add, the report even has a picture in it. Just the one. Aiming to depict the different perspectives from which people view the asylum system, in one simple drawing. Obviously flawed. Hopefully effective.

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.bsky.social - is out today: www.smf.co.uk/wp-content/u...

gracetruth.blog/2026/03/02/b...

Brexit and Immigration: the Arc of the Pendulum My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next? consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...

As the Home Secretary set out changes to asylum and returns policy, SMF Senior Fellow @JTMigratory.bsky.social argued the Govt's Danish-style immigration plans must meet the high expectations they have set. Read Jonathan's full reaction👇 buff.ly/cWR54us

Excellent two minute explainer from the US President in this video interview of the benefits of attracting international students. www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...

My published letter to The Economist in response to its recent article on asylum seeker right to work in UK. www.economist.com/letters/2025... The asylum seeker right to work 'debate' is beset with simplistic thinking on both sides. My report for @SMFthinktank : www.smf.co.uk/wp-content/u...

When I wrote about the looming fight in the UK over Indefinite Leave to Remain - back in May for @smfthinktank.bsky.social - 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.

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

The Incredibles Nigel Farage's plan to tackle illegal immigration has the government on the ropes, how can it respond? For @smfthinktank.bsky.social www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

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? kyla.substack.com/p/zero-sum-t...

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. inews.co.uk/news/politic... As I said here - that's the point. www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

UK Govt = addicted to keeping scary immigration stories in the news. Yesterday Serbian gang bosses Today asylum-seeking Deliveroo drivers Tomorrow? Even though doesn't improve its popularity + people would otherwise be blissfully unaware What's wrong with bliss? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Latest UK Home Office annual accounts show Immigration Skills Charge receipts unsurprisingly falling back a little after last year's record, but still = nearly £1.25 billion over the last two years. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687774...

conservativehome.com/2025/07/07/j...

My piece for @smfthinktank.bsky.social on the outbreak of ECHR fever across the UK political scene. And why the Conservatives - remember them? - may have a rare opportunity to make the others sweat.

Is the government's failure to bring back the Resident Labour Market Test actively undermining its aim to encourage more UK employers to invest in and hire domestic workers? www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p... For @smfthinktank.bsky.social

That 'asylum hotels' should feature at all, let alone so prominently, across the headlines written about the Spending Review, tells you something. I thought we'd have a day off immigration 'policy' in the UK media yesterday, as people focused on the Spending Review. But obv not. I never learn.

Thoughtful blog from @jtmigratory.bsky.social on the government's proposals on restricting migrants' right to settle/Indefinite Leave to Remain. As he says, debate on this has just begun (1/2) www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

This, from @jtmigratory.bsky.social is a real must-read blog on the proposed WP settlement changes. TLDR: it is all about the money, and retrospective effect is highly possible www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

MAC review of IT and Engineering sectors' use of immigration is out. TLDR: 'Remind us again why you asked us to look at this?' assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6836ea...

My thoughts for @smfthinktank.bsky.social on a key issue raised in recent UK Govt White paper on Immigration: - why is the Govt seeking to extend the qualifying period for permanent settlement in the UK? - why is Angela Rayner so interested? - and how to respond to this?

With money too tight to mention, scepticism is understandable that Immigration Skills Charge proceeds will at last now actually fund skills training. But this further detail from Govt is not unwelcome + as we have said repeatedly, the 'presentation' that this is happening is itself important.

Direction of travel on YMS seems right. Initial proposal by EU on YMS = bad deal - EU admitted so themselves. UK negotiating good YMS deal can be doubly good; will: (1) be a good deal (2) show UK is rule maker with the EU, not rule taker from it. Let's see ... www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

V supportive of this. This aligns with what we proposed in our @smfthinktank.bsky.social December 2022 'Routes to Resolution' report - excerpted. Times/Vibes diplomatically might be more favourable to this possibility now, although still huge challenges obvs.

My paper for @smfthinktank.bsky.social just out on: - the politics and principle of the Immigration White Paper, - what just happened and why, - and how should business respond.

My full report for @smfthinktank.bsky.social on the Immigration White Paper coming shortly. For now: glad to see that this Govt has at least committed to use the Immigration Skills Charge for its proper purpose. This is much more impt than most people think. So I am liking the foot of page 27.

What might the German election tell us about UK immigration policy? My short piece for @smfthinktank.bsky.social www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Lord. Is there no sector not complaining of skills shortages? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Agree 100%. Lawyers have a duty to pull all the levers they can for their client. They can't be concerned with what the political headlines are going to look like. But the political headlines around this are terrible for more reasoned consideration around safe routes.

On its 5th anniversary: - what impact did Brexit have on immigration to the UK, and - why might the UK need to channel a little more 'art of the deal' in its efforts to reach agreement with the EU on youth mobility. www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...