White Paper and post-Brexit immigration

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This sub-topic looks at the trajectory of structural changes to UK immigration policy from the end of the Brexit transition period. It covers the citizens’ rights settlement agreed with the EU and its domestic implementation, the initial post-Brexit immigration system which applied to both EEA and non-EEA citizens which was put into place by the previous Conservative government, and the immigration White Paper ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’ published by the Labour government on 12 May 2025 which sets out significant changes it intends to introduce over the course of this Parliament.

Citizens’ rights

On 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its European Union (EU) membership. A 51.9% majority voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU (‘Brexit’). On 29 March 2017, the UK government gave formal notification of the UK's intention to withdraw from the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). As of exit day (11 pm on 31 January 2020), the UK is no longer an EU Member State.

European Economic Area (EEA)/Swiss citizens (termed ‘EEA citizens’ for these purposes) and their family members

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Latest Immigration News

ICIBI launches call for evidence on UK entry permission refusals and cancellations

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI), David Bolt CBE, has launched a call for evidence concerning refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK.

Lords Committee criticises lack of advance information on immigration policy changes

The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has criticised the Home Office for failing to provide sufficient information in support of measures set out in its latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 977, which sets out significant changes to immigration policy. The Statement tightens the Skilled Worker visa route by removing care workers/senior care workers from the list of occupations eligible to recruit migrant workers form overseas and tightens conditions for granting Skilled Worker visas—affecting around 180 occupations (which could lead to a 40 drop in grants). The Committee highlighted the lack of consultation and the absence of an impact assessment, which it says severely undermines parliamentary scrutiny. It called for the impact assessment to be published before the end of the current summer recess. The Statement also closes two schemes which assisted Afghans who supported UK operations and aims in Afghanistan, including through resettlement. A submission to the Committee argued this would permanently abandon people in need, especially in light of a 2022 data breach recently revealed through the lifting of a superinjunction. The Home Office responded that most eligible applicants had already applied and that 95% of current applications were found ineligible. The report states that the Committee had previously repeatedly requested the Home Office to provide sufficient information when laying new legislation with potentially significant consequences, but ‘despite acknowledging this to be correct practice’ it had failed to do so again. It includes a link to detailed submissions sent to the Committee by the Work Rights Centre, the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association and the Home Office.

Home Office announces operational partnership with delivery giants to combat illegal working

The Home Office has announced a new operational partnership with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to help tackle illegal working in the UK’s delivery sector. The agreement is reported to support enforcement efforts by enabling delivery firms to receive information, including the locations of asylum hotels, to help identify misuse. It also introduces enhanced security measures—such as facial verification checks and fraud detection tools—to ensure only verified users can access the platforms. The initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to disrupt organised immigration crime and reduce the exploitation of vulnerable migrants by smuggling gangs. Legislative support is provided through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, which requires all employers to verify the legal working status of individuals.

Immigration cases January—June 2025 review

Immigration analysis: Adam Pipe, barrister at No 8 Chambers, reviews the key cases from January 2025 to June 2025 for immigration advisers, and explains why they are of interest. The review covers case law on ‘global assessments’ in revocation of sponsor licences, employing family members in the Skilled Worker route, Skilled Workers and voluntary work, deprivation of citizenship, Article 8 ECHR, EEA and EU Settlement Scheme matters, and Upper Tribal reported decisions over the period.

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