The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) has submitted evidence to the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) requesting that it draw the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691 to the special attention of the House, citing its legal and political significance, insufficient explanatory material, potential failure to meet policy objectives, and shortcomings in consultation. ILPA states that no formal consultation was undertaken and raises concerns about reduced scrutiny and drafting errors, linked to the absence of the Simplification of the Rules Review Committee.

The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) has published a statement of consensus opposing the UK Government’s asylum and returns policy. It argues the proposals lack evidential support and risk breaching international obligations as well as domestic legal principles. ILPA highlights concerns over: (1) plans to make refugee status temporary; (2) requiring reapplications every two-and-a-half years; (3) extending settlement eligibility from five to 20 years; (4) restricting family reunification; and (5) artificial intelligence (AI) based age estimation technology. According to ILPA, these measures would create prolonged uncertainty, hinder integration and significantly increase administrative burdens. It also condemns outsourcing asylum responsibilities to third countries, describing such practices as incompatible with international law.

The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) has published a Generative AI Best Practice Guide addressing how generative AI can be used responsibly in court-ordered disclosure exercises under Practice Direction 57AD. The guide, developed by litigation practitioners from multiple firms, aims to fill a regulatory gap as PD57AD predates generative AI technology. It emphasises that lawyers remain fully accountable for AI-generated content, referencing the Divisional Court's June 2025 decision in Ayinde v London Borough of Haringey, which confirmed solicitors and barristers face potential regulatory sanctions for failing to verify AI accuracy.

Intermediate Level Waste: Waste with radioactivity levels exceeding the upper boundaries for Low Level Waste (LLW), but which do not require temperature to be taken into account in the design of storage or disposal facilities. ILW arises mainly from the reprocessing of spent fuel, and from general operations and maintenance of radioactive plant. The major components of ILW are metals, sludges and organic materials, with smaller quantities of cement, graphite, glass and ceramics.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights’ Agreements (IMA) is calling for a resolution on implementation of the High Court's decision in R (Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreement) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (European Commission and another intervening) [2022] EWHC 3274 (Admin), [2022] All ER (D) 70 (Dec). Despite the fact that the judge ruled in favour of the IMA, it is the IMA’s view that the current Home Office approach of automatically applying a two-year extension to all pre-settled status holders shortly before they approach their current date of expiry does not go far enough to address the High Court’s ruling. This is because it could potentially adversely impact their residency rights. Therefore, the IMA is holding regular meetings with the Home Office to better understand its plans for how the judgment will be fully implemented. The IMA understands that the Home Office is nearing a final view on a solution.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed new guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to local authorities regarding homelessness support assessments for citizens with rights under the Agreements. This follows a significant Court of Appeal ruling, in which the IMA successfully intervened, concerning the application of the Withdrawal Agreement in crisis support scenarios (SSWP v AT [2024] EWCA Civ 1307). The IMA's stance that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights applies to homelessness support for EU nationals with pre-settled status has been accepted by MHCLG. While both MHCLG and the Department for Work and Pensions have issued guidance, the IMA continues to work with these departments to address concerns that the guidance does not fully implement the AT judgment and may exclude certain vulnerable groups to whom the Charter should apply.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has found that the Home Office breached the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens by failing to decide some EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications within a reasonable time. The inquiry was launched after citizens reported delays in receiving outcomes, with some experiencing impacts despite holding a Certificate of Application intended to provide temporary protections. The IMA concluded that delays, including pauses at the suitability stage and case allocation delays of up to nine months, breached obligations under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements.

The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) has conducted a fact-finding mission to Belfast, and found a number of challenges faced by EU, EEA, and EFTA citizens in Northern Ireland (NI). The investigation revealed a disproportionately high rate of EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) refusals in NI, at 21% compared to 9-14% elsewhere in the UK. Key issues identified include difficulties in providing evidence of residency, lack support for EUSS applications, and limited access to immigration legal advice. The IMA also highlighted concerns regarding impromptu checks around the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland leading to some detentions of persons prior to removal where they ‘struggle to prove their rights yet have no access to advice’, and healthcare access problems stemming from misunderstandings about EUSS status. The visit also found a lack of awareness about the requirements for continuous residence, including that some EU citizens had been unknowingly crossing the border into Ireland for prolonged periods, unaware that this could have implications for their ongoing eligibility under the EUSS.

The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) has advised joining family members travelling with an EUSS family permit, who have a pending EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application and a valid Certificate of Application (CoA), to check their travel status in line with Home Office guidance. The Home Office advises some individuals (including ‘visa nationals’) not to travel to or from the UK where an EUSS family permit has expired. The IMA has previously raised concerns about this position and has welcomed the removal of earlier advice that CoA holders should not travel. The IMA also notes that it is engaging with the Home Office to understand the impact on visa national joining family members where a permit has expired or may expire while they are outside the UK.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has issued new guidance on how absences from the UK may affect EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status. The guidance clarifies that settled status holders can live outside the UK for up to five consecutive years without affecting their status, while pre-settled status holders must maintain continuous residence, generally limiting absences to six months in any 12-month period. The IMA highlighted recent changes, including the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2024, which extended the automatic lapsing of pre-settled status from two to five consecutive years of absence (for persons whose leave had not lapsed before the order came into force on 21 May 2024). However, the IMA emphasised that this change does not alter the rules on continuity of residence for pre-settled status holders seeking to qualify for settled status. It further confirms that if continuous residence in the UK has been broken, a pre-settled status holder may no longer meet the eligibility criteria for their status, even if they have been granted an extension by the Home Office.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has announced the launch of a survey examining European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Area (EFTA) citizens' experiences in the UK and Gibraltar. The survey aims to evaluate the implementation of rights guaranteed under the EU Withdrawal and EEA EFTA Separation Agreements, including access to work, housing, healthcare and benefits. The IMA will assess barriers faced by citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, and examine implications for future generations regarding EU Settlement Scheme status requirements. The findings of this survey will be published by the IMA in a comprehensive report.

The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) has published a statement outlining concerns about the Home Office policy concerning EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status considered to have been granted in error. The IMA considers that the policy may be incompatible with the UK’s obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement, particularly because affected individuals may consequently lose their residence rights, be prevented from sponsoring a joining family member under the EUSS and have no clear and direct right of appeal against a decision to allow their pre-settled status to expire.