Migration to the UK: Policy, politics and public opinion
Join us at our one-day conference to launch our latest report on migration to the UK. We’ll be bringing together the latest thinking on the key electoral, political and economic challenges for the UK from migration and how they might be addressed.
Drawing from academia, government, policy experts and journalism, panels will consider: the current state of migration policy; what the public want and why; the role migration will play in the general election; how to build a sustainable and effective asylum system; and the challenges ahead for the next government. The day concludes with a drinks reception to launch a special issue of Political Quarterly which reflects on the political and policy legacy of the current government on migration.
To register for in-person tickets, please click on the following Eventbrite link and to sign up to watch the event online please click here.
Conference agenda
9:00 – 9:30 Arrival and coffee/pastries
9:30 – 10:30 Panel 1: The state of migration: where are we now?
Chair: Anand Menon – UK in a Changing Europe
Panellists:
- Madeleine Sumption – Migration Observatory
- Jonathan Portes – UK in a Changing Europe
- Robert Ford – UK in a Changing Europe
- Miranda Green – Financial Times
10:30 – 11:00 Tea break
11:00 – 12:00 Panel 2: What do the public want on immigration?
Chair: Robert Ford – UK in a Changing Europe
Panellists:
- Christabel Cooper – Labour Together
- James Blagden – More in Common
- James Kanagasooriam – Focaldata
- Patrick English – YouGov
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 Panel 3: What role will immigration play in the general election?
Chair: Jill Rutter – UK in a Changing Europe
Panellists:
- Ben Habib – Reform UK
- Randall Hansen – University of Toronto
- Tim Montgomerie – ConservativeHome
14:00 – 14:30 Tea break
14:30 – 15:30 Panel 4: Asylum and humanitarian migration: can we build an effective and sustainable system?
Chair: Joelle Grogan – UK in a Changing Europe
Panellists:
- Michaela Benson – Lancaster University
- Henry Hill – ConservativeHome
- Sunder Katwala – British Future
15:30 – 16:00 Tea break
16:00 – 17:00 Panel 5: The challenges from migration for the next government
Chair: Jonathan Portes – UK in a Changing Europe
Panellists:
- James Hampshire – University of Sussex and Political Quarterly
- Jonathan Thomas – Social Market Foundation
- Sarah Mulley – Policy Researcher and Consultant
- Madeleine Sumption – Migration Observatory
17:00 – 18:00 Political Quarterly special issue launch and drinks reception