The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a report titled From Strangers to Citizens: Membership and Belonging in an Age of Migration, calling for British citizenship to become the expected outcome for migrants who settle permanently in the UK. The report argues that the system should be based on equal rights, civic and political participation and a shared commitment to national values. It recommends clearer and more consistent routes to settlement and citizenship for long-term residents, with settlement generally available after five years’ residence and no route lasting more than ten years.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a blog examining what it sees as the big immigration issues which the UK’s next government will have to address. The IPPR has divided these issues into six questions.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a blog post examining the current asylum backlog in light of the Prime Minister's announcement at the beginning of the year that its 'legacy' backlog target had been met. According to the blog, there remains a legacy backlog, and there are various cohorts of people also in the backlog who have made claims on and after 28 June 2022 as first the Nationality and Borders Act and then the Illegal Migration Bill/Act made the position increasingly more restrictive. Eg the bulk of those who have arrived via irregular means after 7 March 2023 and claimed asylum since 20 July 2023 are likely to be trapped in a ‘perma-backlog’ due to being unable to have their claims processed or be removed. This backlog cost the government £3.97m in 2022/23. The blog sets out the complexities of the current position and the numerous challenges the Home Office has in this context.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), an independent charity dedicated to progressive policy change, has published a setting out legislative proposals intended to safeguard workers from excessive surveillance by introducing statutory consultation and negotiation rights. According to the report, new technologies have radically transformed worker surveillance, transitioning workplaces from traditional manual oversight to intricate digital systems capable of real‐time, data-rich monitoring and leading to qualitative and quantitative changes in monitoring as well as significant challenges to workers’ rights and wellbeing. The report looks at some of the possible negative effects of surveillance and puts forward recommendations to reduce their impact.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a report recommending a new British Business Investment Visa (BBIV) to replace the Tier 1 investor visa closed in 2022. The report argues that the new route would help address the UK's low levels of business investment by directing long-term private capital into innovative, high-growth businesses while reducing the risks associated with investment migration. It proposes that applicants invest £5 million through a pooled investment vehicle overseen by the British Business Bank, with investments aligned to the government's industrial strategy. Unlike the previous investor visa, the proposed scheme would require long-term investment commitments, offer below-market returns and would not provide a fast-track route to settlement or British citizenship.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published immigration and asylum policy suggestions for the new Labour government's first 100 days in office. The IPPR suggests that in regards to tackling people smuggling gangs, Labour's pledged new Border Security Command will need to take a holistic approach to small boat crossings, looking from an enforcement and security perspective as well as the wider system and policy context. It states that the new government should co-ordinate with European neighbours to create a new plan for people smuggling and managing asylum. The IPPR also suggests that the government needs to start processing the large backlog of asylum claims, using powers under section 30(4) of the Illegal Migration Act to grant temporary leave to remain to individuals who receive positive decisions. It additionally suggests that the government launches a review of the points-based system, including consulting with external stakeholders about investing in the domestic labour force and forming a cross-government group on shortage occupations, and develops a strategy for tackling migrant exploitation in the points-based system, particularly among care workers.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a report 'Transforming Asylum Accommodation'. The report calls for an end to what it considers the misallocation of resources towards inappropriate accommodation and suggests a new strategy for asylum housing based on regional models with heightened accountability systems and a focus on integration.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North has published a report examining the democratic implications of the government’s local government unitarisation agenda under the English devolution and community empowerment bill. The report assesses proposals to abolish the remaining two-tier county and district councils, affecting around 29% of England’s population, and replace them with larger unitary authorities. While the government argues that unitarisation will simplify governance, improve efficiency and support mayoral devolution, the report identifies risks to local democracy, including fewer councillors, less frequent elections and greater distance between communities and decision-makers. It notes evidence that larger authorities can weaken trust, reduce participation and diminish citizens’ sense of political efficacy, but contends that reorganisation also offers an opportunity to address existing weaknesses in local democratic engagement.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and IPPR North have published a report recommending that advanced mayoral strategic authorities in England receive a 5% share of national income tax revenue, estimated to place an additional £3.8 billion a year under mayoral control. This would shift funding from Whitehall and roughly double the funding under mayoral control. The report proposes that authorities retain part of the growth in locally generated tax revenue, have greater flexibility over spending through the transfer of relevant Whitehall budgets, including those held by the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and receive borrowing powers to support long-term investment in mass transit, housing, regeneration and industrial clusters. It recommends a tiered approach based on local capacity, including reformed integrated settlements, a visitor levy for all strategic authorities and enhanced powers for authorities that meet capability and accountability requirements. IPPR and IPPR North also call for a tariff and top-up system to redistribute funding between areas, alongside regional audit offices and other financial and democratic safeguards to prevent inequality, overspending and misuse of devolved funds.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has analysed two announcements on changes/proposed changes to UK immigration policy made in March 2025, by the two largest parties. The Conservative opposition has proposed extending the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) qualifying period to ten years for all migrants and introducing a ‘net contribution’ requirement. The Labour government has updated Home Office caseworker guidance to permanently bar irregular arrivals from obtaining British citizenship. IPPR warns these policies/proposed policies could increase administrative burdens and create long-term exclusion for settled migrants.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has published guidance for journalists and editors on due prominence in digital media explaining how they should consider displaying corrections and adjudications in digital media and how IPSO makes decisions on the prominence with which editors must publish remedies for online articles or social media posts. The guidance includes an explanation of what due prominence means in digital media, the different ways corrections can appear online, and what factors ISPO considers when deciding what is duly prominent among others.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has published updated guidance to support editors and journalists in complying with the Editors’ Code when reporting on children. The guidance, which is not a new set of rules but an aid to interpreting the Code, provides practical advice on the application of Clauses 6 (Children), 2 (Privacy), 1 (Accuracy), 3 (Harassment), and 8 (Hospitals). It covers key issues such as consent, identification, interviews, photographic material, the reporting of grief, and the use of material from social media. IPSO explains that while children’s best interests do not override freedom of expression, editors must strike an appropriate balance when children are likely to be affected. The document also includes case studies and links to relevant rulings to assist with decision-making. The guidance aims to help ensure children are reported on responsibly and with due care, particularly in circumstances of vulnerability, distress, or trauma.