The Migration Observatory informs debates on international migration and public policy.
Learn more about us
The Migration Observatory informs debates on international migration and public policy.
Learn more about us
Unauthorised migration in the UK
This briefing examines unauthorised migration—also known as ‘illegal immigration’ or ‘irregular migration’—in the UK.
Net migration to the UK
Covering the scale of immigration and net migration in the UK since the early 2000s
Labour’s pledges on migration: the data
Commentary explaining what the data do and do not tell us about the Labour government’s progress towards its goals as it begins implementing its plans.
briefing 23 Jun 2026
This briefing provides an overview of research regarding the impact of immigration on government finances in the UK.
commentary 17 Jun 2026
commentary 12 Jun 2026
briefing 05 Jun 2026
commentary 02 Jun 2026
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23 Jun 2026
Contact Us
T: +44 (0) 1865 612 375
E: migrationobservatory@compas.ox.ac.uk
Connections
This Migration Observatory is kindly supported by the following organisations.
The Migration Observatory, at the University of Oxford COMPAS (Centre on Migration, Policy and Society)
University of Oxford,
58 Banbury Road,
Oxford, OX2 6QS
commentary 23 Jun 2026
Q&A: Why do asylum seekers come to the UK?
This briefing note reviews data and evidence on the factors that affect asylum seekers’ decisions to come to the UK, sometimes known as “push” and “pull” factors.