In a report published on June 23, the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee said the UK’s migration evidence base remains “woefully inadequate”, making it difficult for policymakers and the public to understand the long-term impacts of immigration and integration.
The committee called on the Home Office to resume publishing exit-check data and improve coordination across government departments to provide a clearer picture of migration trends and outcomes.
Elsewhere, it asks government to develop and publish a migration plan every three years, setting out the principles and priorities guiding the government’s decisions on migration and settlement.
The committee pointed to what it called a “disturbing revelation” from the inquiry, saying the UK does not know which or how many migrants are in the country. It said that for large numbers of visa entrants, there is no data to confirm whether they left when they were required to. The committee said this reflects a long-standing failure in data collection.
Its intervention comes as the government considers reforms outlined in its immigration white paper, including proposals to extend the standard route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five years to 10 years under an “earned settlement” model.
The report highlighted divisions within the committee itself, stating that it was “unable to reach a consensus” on some aspects of the inquiry.
The committee said a majority of members do not support proposals to extend the baseline qualifying time for indefinite leave to remain to 10 years, or introduce 15-year and 20-year routes for different migrant groups.
It added that the majority favoured retaining the current five-year qualifying period, while noting discussions around whether access to public funds could be restricted for up to 10 years or until British citizenship is obtained.
Committee chair Lord Foster of Bath said that better data was essential if governments were to develop effective migration policies.
“We are proud that the UK is a place that so many wish to call their home, either as a result of working and studying here, joining family or loved ones, or fleeing the threat of persecution. But we are conscious that there are many in the UK who are alienated and discomfited by the change in their communities,” he said.
“How governments, migrants, and the receiving society conduct themselves matters at least as much as how many people migrate to the UK and from where. But this focus on settlement and integration is often lost in discussion around migration,” Foster continued.
We need better data on who is, and is not, in the UK, and better data on migrant outcomes, to see the full picture of how migration affects the country and whether people are integrating
Lord Foster, House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee
“We need better data on who is, and is not, in the UK, and better data on migrant outcomes, to see the full picture of how migration affects the country and whether people are integrating. Without this picture, misinformation becomes rife. “
The committee said it now looks forward to receiving the government’s response to its report and recommendations.
