The ‘How we can actually stop the boats’ report draws on international evidence to argue that a scaled-up ‘routes and returns’ approach, based on the framework of the existing UK-France deal and learning from the US experience, could significantly reduce small boat crossings.
It includes new Ipsos polling, which finds strong public support for a ‘routes and returns’ strategy at scale.
The authors urge the Home Secretary to expand the UK-France ‘one in one out’ deal by a factor of ten or twenty times. This would return to France the vast majority of those who arrive without permission in small boats, while at the same time welcoming a significant number of people with the right to claim asylum via an expanded, regularised route to the UK.
The report “demands serious and urgent consideration by the government,” says former Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke.
We’re delighted that our @jake_puddle &
@Heather_Rolfe, together with @jillyrutter of @BelongNetwork, won the MRS Presidents Medal last night at the Market Research Society & Research Live Awards 2025, for the ‘The State of Us’ report. [1/3]
Good to see @JohnRentoul citing British Future's new research and analysis in this explainer of the new net migration figures for @Independent [1/3]
If you missed our webinar today 'New net migration figures: What next for politics and policy?' you can watch a recording here:

THURSDAY WEBINAR: 'New Net Migration Figures - What Next for Policy and Politics?'
Our expert panel discusses the new ONS net migration figures (published 9.30am Thurs 27th) and findings from the British Future/Ipsos Immigration Attitudes Tracker (also published 27 Nov) [1/2]
'Labour risks leaving its voters behind over settlement proposals' – New blog from our @Heather_Rolfe for @UKandEU drawing on research for the Immigration Attitudes Tracker [1/2]
"What is the best-kept secret in British politics? It must be falling immigration. Almost everyone knows that immigration hit record highs... Few realise the last couple of years have seen some of the biggest ever reductions too." @sundersays @EasternEye
Net migration now 204,000 – new @ONS figures today
Net migration now 204,000 – new @ONS figures today

At 204,000, long-term international net migration (number of people immigrating long-term minus number of people emigrating long-term) for the year ending June 2025 was around two-thirds lower than a year earlier (649,000).
Read more ➡️
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/bulletins/longterminternationalmigrationprovisional/yearendingjune2025
PUBLISHED TODAY: ‘Noise & Nuance: What the public really thinks about immigration’ – the report on the British Future/Ipsos Immigration Attitudes Tracker, which has studied public opinion on immigration and asylum since 2015 [🧵]
Our @sundersays.bsky.social gave evidence this morning to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship and Integration - watch here:
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/cdf09b84-dbe9-4f35-b5a3-672f5117b586
New @FutureGovForum paper sets out 3-point plan to end use of asylum hotels by 2026 and deliver savings of btwn £3-5 billion for the Exchequer. [1/2]
THURSDAY WEBINAR: 'New Net Migration Figures - What Next for Policy and Politics?'
Our expert panel discusses the new ONS net migration figures (published 9.30am Thurs 27th) and findings from the British Future/Ipsos Immigration Attitudes Tracker (also published 27 Nov) [1/2]