Understanding public attitudes to immigration. Proposing reforms to restore public confidence that immigration can work fairly for all of us.
Britain’s post-Brexit immigration approach needs to rebuild public confidence and secure political consent, while meeting the needs of the economy, public services and our global obligations. That will require a much deeper level of public involvement, to address people’s anxieties and respond with a system that manages the pressures and secures the gains of immigration.
Advocates for the gains of migration do not have the public and political support they need. We work with civil society, employers and political voices to develop public messages, policy agendas and broader coalitions to engage concerns effectively by proposing constructive solutions.
The findings from our National Conversation on Immigration project inform our approach to policy change.
British Future, together with Hope not hate and the Home Affairs Select Committee, conducted the biggest-ever public consultation on immigration in 2018. The National Conversation on Immigration comprised over 130 meetings with local citizens and stakeholders in 60 locations across every nation and region of the UK, together with an online survey and nationally representative research by ICM. In total 19,951 people took part. Read its final report here.
Date: 18 September 2025
New evidence shows how a ‘routes & returns’ approach could combine control and compassion to reduce small boat asylum crossings.
Date: 10 July 2025
Channel migrant returns deal is a breakthrough, but there are concerns that small scale may limit impact
Date: 10 July 2025
Year 8 drama students at Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest explore the topics of immigration, home, belonging and identity in their play ‘The Migration Diaries’.
Date: 22 May 2025
Voters will be surprised by the halving of net migration, offering PM Keir Starmer an opportunity to take a more pragmatic approach.
Date: 11 May 2025
New British Future research on public attitudes to immigration, ahead of the government’s expected Immigration White Paper.
Date: 1 May 2025
A new poll finds the public expects net migration to increase, as new figures are published by the ONS. But immigration is certain to be lower and net migration is likely to fall by over 250,000, says British Future
Date: 10 April 2025
British Future is a signatory to a letter in the Times, calling on the government to adopt an annual Migration Plan, together with the Directors of Onward, Centre for Policy Studies, IPPR and the IfG.
Date: 27 February 2025
New Home Office figures show falling immigration numbers, yet the politics of immigration have not caught up, says British Future.
Date: 16 February 2025
Most of the public would prefer current levels of international student migration to stay the same or increase, even though it makes up 40% of net migration, according to new research.
"We honour the past fully when all of those who contributed and served can be fully recognised. We bring this society together when everybody is invited to participate." @sundersays for @easterneye on why inclusive remembrance matters now more than ever [1/2]
New net migration figures are published by ONS this month (27 Nov). Join our lunchtime webinar that afternoon for expert analysis of what the figures mean for the politics and policy of immigration - with @alanmanning4 @MarleyAMorris + our team [1/2]
"To let people get stuck in jobs that don’t use their potential is a waste — not just for them, but for the economy as a whole." Good piece from @sarahoconnor_ on migrants' progression at work, quoting our @Heather_Rolfe
via @FT
Why the job ladder matters for migrants
Obstacles in progressing are important both for people and for the economy
www.ft.com
We’re delighted to be shortlisted for @SmartThinktank’s inaugural Think Tank of the Year Award 2025!
Proud to be recognised for our research, impact and contribution to the UK policy debate.
#SmartThinkingAwards #ThinkTankOfTheYear
Our @sundersays is on the @BBCRadio4 Today Debate with Amol Rajan tonight at 8pm, discussing “Has the UK given up on freedom of speech?”
Our @sundersays column for @easterneye this week on the Gaza peace deal, efforts to bolster UK community relations after the Manchester attack, and book-burning free speech advocates {1/2]
How can we help make workplaces fair and inclusive? At Labour & Conservative conferences, British Future (with @kpmguk) brought together politicians, business leaders & experts to explore how to unlock opportunity for all. Read more below [1/2]
Moment of reflection planned one week on from Manchester synagogue attack
Moment of reflection planned one week on from Manchester synagogue attack
Communities across the UK are being encouraged to hold vigils, light candles, or have moments of silence.
www.independent.co.uk
"Are you representing an organisation here?", I asked a Muslim attendee. “I’m here as a Mancunian mate,’ he replied. “That’s what I’m representing.”
Our Avaes Mohammad's reflections from Friday's vigil in Manchester following the appalling Synagogue attack. [1/2]
The new 'Pride in Place' programme "fires the starting gun in Labour’s race to address the sense of national decline fuelling polarisation & populism," writes our @jakepuddle – but ministers should be wary of presenting it as a silver bullet to heal divides. [1/2]
