Thom Brooks’ research has influenced and contributed to public debate around citizenship and migration.
Thom Brooks
Thom Brooks is an award-winning author, broadcaster and senior policy advisor with wide-ranging expertise in British immigration law and policy.
Thom is a frequent media commentator on immigration issues and the leading expert on Britain’s Life in the UK citizenship test. His landmark books include Becoming British: UK Citizenship Examined published by Biteback. In recent years, Thom has campaigned for:
The Government is committed to reducing net migration to 100,000 or less. The use of net migration as a target is a mistake. Net migration is a composite statistic taking together all migration entering or leaving the UK, including British citizens and international students. Reducing net migration can be achieved without decreasing migration-related impact. The Government should focus more on impact instead of numbers – ending net migration as a ‘target’ and move towards more specific, and achievable, targets.
Thom has argued that urgent funding is required to help reduce the impact of migration on public services. Previously a fund distributed about £70m over two years, but it was scrapped by the coalition government after the 2010 general election. The pressures on public services from migration-related impact have continued, but without funding support.
Over the last 10 years, immigration law and policy has undergone significant changes. Over 1 million have sat the Life in the UK citizenship test. Thousands have participated in citizenship ceremonies across the country. Home Office guidance for assessing visa and naturalisation applications have been revolutionised. But there has not been any review of procedures or consultation with naturalised British citizens to ensure immigration policy is fit for purpose. A Citizenship Advisory Group is urgently needed to review policy and procedures engaged in public discussion to improve regulations and build public confidence.
Urgent funding is required to help reduce the impact of migration on public services. There was a Migrant Impacts Fund launched in 2009 to provide new funding support to local communities that needed it most financed by a levy on immigration application fees. The Fund distributed about £70m over two years, but it was scrapped within months by the coalition government after the 2010 general election.
View the briefing: Migration Impacts Reduction Fund
You can view a short briefing on the arguments for reform of the citizenship test: The Life in the UK citizenship test
The purpose of the briefing is to give the reader a flavour of Thom Brook's research in this area. We hope that by presenting our research in an accessible and eye-catching way to disseminate it to the widest possible audience, including policymakers, members of the legal profession, external groups (including NGOs) and other academics.
You can read the full 'Life in the United Kingdom Citizenship Test: Is It Unfit for Purpose?' report here.
You can read 'A Practical Guide to Living in the United Kingdom: A Report' here.
You can view a short briefing on the arguments on an immigration policy in an independent Scotland: Immigration law and policy in an independent Scotland
What might happen at the border if Scotland voted for independence? Pro-Unionists claimed border controls would be inevitable because migration rules would differ. Anti-Unionists agreed the immigration rules in an independent Scotland would change. However, they denied no border controls would become necessary when joining the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK and Ire-land.
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