The dust is still settling from the recent local elections, which once again underlined the fragmentation of the UK’s two-party system. Yet when one looks at the stated policy positions of the main political parties, the immigration conversation remains firmly centred on asylum, border security and the European Convention on Human Rights. This is understandable; they are difficult and important questions that resonate on the doorstep. But the Government is making a strategic

For many migrants in the UK, obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) feels like the finish line. After years of visa applications, rising fees, paperwork, and uncertainty, settlement finally provides stability and the right to live and work in the UK without restriction. But stopping at ILR may leave people more exposed than they realise. In the latest episode of our podcast, Constantine Law partners Alex Finch and Rebecca Tester explore one increasingly important question

The following article first appeared in Free Movement on 23 February, 2026. From 25 February the UK will begin enforcing pre-departure checks which require carriers to confirm that passengers have permission to travel. This has raised concern that dual British nationals who only hold a foreign passport will be denied boarding or refused entry to the UK. The headlines are frantic: “New passport rules set to affect more than one million Brits – who risk being banned from flig

The Liberal Democrats have urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to delay new border controls that could prevent British dual nationals from entering the UK. From 25 February 2026, dual citizens must present a valid or expired British passport, or a £589 certificate of entitlement (which takes 8 weeks to obtain), or risk being denied boarding. Families report cancelled trips to see dying relatives and attend funerals, while others fear being stranded abroad. Commenting to The

Business immigration in 2026: The UK and US are converging, but not in the way employers expected In the latest episode of The Employment Law Podcast immigration series, Alex Finch and Rebecca Tester are joined by Nita Nicole Upadhye, Managing Partner of NNU Immigration , to compare the UK and US immigration systems from a business perspective. Listen to the podcast on your preferred platform: For employers, investors and internationally mobile professionals, the similarit

The Home Office’s new A Fairer Path to Settlement proposals could leave hundreds of thousands of migrant workers waiting far longer to settle in the UK. Constantine Law's immigration partner Alex Finch speaking to Personnel Today , warns the plans will “require a fundamental re-engineering of the UK immigration system,” creating clear winners and losers. Alex comments: “The focus of the statement is on the contribution of the individual. But that is hard to reconcile with

The Employment Rights Bill should receive Royal Assent this month. On 28 October 2025, the House of Lords considered the House of Commons’ amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. The Lords proposed changes to: 1. zero-hours clauses (amending their own amendment); 2. the day-one right to unfair dismissal protections (insisting on a 6-month qualifying period, rather than day-one); and 3. industrial action ballot thresholds (disagreeing with the proposal t

Welders are included in the immigration salary list In her article for BE News, Constantine Law partner, Rebecca Tester , looks at the recent changes to immigration laws and how this is impacting the built environment sector. Rebecca discusses the areas of the sector most likely to be impacted by the changes, which roles might be given a temporary reprieve through the immigration salary list, and looks to what the industry can expect in the months ahead. Read Rebecca's full p

In the latest episode in our podcast series, our new business immigration team, Alex Finch and Rebecca Tester introduce themselves before going on to discuss recent major changes to the UK’s immigration system. The UK government’s recent white paper on immigration sets out reforms designed to reduce net migration, shift focus towards domestic workforce development, and recalibrate the balance between attracting global talent and controlling settlement. Among the most signif