Heather Staff

Reviewing refugee status every 30 months will be a bureaucratic nightmare for the Home Office, already drowning in backlogs.

The Refugee Council estimates that these reviews will cost over £1 billion to the taxpayer over the next decade.

#asylumreforms

'Labour action on extreme poverty can stop voters going Green' - LabourList Reforming international debt isn't just the right thing to do. It can also help Labour avert a catastrophe for progressive politics at home.

Our vice-chair Libby Smith and executive member @roulinkhondoker.bsky.social write in @labourlist.bsky.social today. Reflecting on the Gorton & Denton result, they argue action to tackle extreme poverty is part of rebuilding Labour’s progressive coalition.

Read more ➡️ labourlist.org/2026/03/labo...

'Labour action on extreme poverty can stop voters going Green' - LabourList Reforming international debt isn't just the right thing to do. It can also help Labour avert a catastrophe for progressive politics at home.

I’m glad to co-publish this article for @labourcid.bsky.social in @labourlist.bsky.social on how Labour can and must work hard to keep voters, by tackling the issues that matter at home AND also abroad, such as taking action to end extreme poverty…

labourlist.org/2026/03/labo...

'Ministers have vowed to protect women, but aid cuts will abandon them' - LabourList The Prime Minister should think again before this becomes the first Labour government ever to spend less on international development than the Tories.

Lord McConnell writes in @labourlist.bsky.social that the Foreign Secretary’s recognition of violence against women & girls in conflict as an ‘international emergency’
“will be fatally undermined if the UK goes ahead with disastrous funding cuts to aid …”

labourlist.org/2026/03/inte...

@nuturan.bsky.social, Maia Hamilton and i were out in Laycock ward again for @islington-labour.bsky.social getting things done! We were listening to residents, ensuring our streets are safer, cleaner, with new bins and pavements improved, and getting timelines for pothole repairs 🌹

Another busy weekend in Laycock ward for @nuturan.bsky.social, Maia Hamilton and I with @islington-labour.bsky.social, speaking with residents about service charges and repairs. We ended the day in local cafe supporting our small businesses. We are on our residents’ side all year round 🌹

Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe

This policy is bad for community cohesion.

You don’t build confident, contributing neighbours on rolling 30 month visas. The current 5‑year route is how people plan for the future and fully join our communities.

The Danish model won’t work here.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

It’s 1 year on from the Government’s decision to cut the aid budget. Read our chair @heathernstaff.bsky.social’s statement.

With a programme of events in the months ahead, now is the time to join LCID to stay connected and ensure development is firmly back on the agenda. Join today LCID.org.uk

Thank you @jamespotts6.bsky.social for joining us on Friday 😀

'This is how we get to actively love our neighbours' - another busy few days in Laycock Ward with @islington-labour.bsky.social for @nuturan.bsky.social, Maia Hamilton and I. Rain or shine we will always be there for you 🌹

Last night, we hosted an LCID parliamentary reception, where we had a packed room of MPs, peers and staffers joining us to discuss all things international development. It was wonderful to hear from FCDO Minister Baroness Chapman and David Taylor MP!

Our home our community is Islington. From resident meetings to more knocking, reporting issues and hearing from our neighbours, its been another busy weekend for @nuturan.bsky.social, Maia Hamilton and I with @islington-labour.bsky.social @islingtonsouth.bsky.social in Laycock Ward 🌹

No problem at all, good to chat

Camden & Islington LGBT History 2026 launched!🎉

A special evening of celebration was enjoyed for this year's programme - forumplus.org.uk/news-item/ca...

We deeply appreciate the wonderful words of support from the Mayor of Camden & Islington Cllr & Executive Member Sheila Chapman 🏳️‍🌈

Today in Parliament, we - alongside our friends at @cafod.bsky.social - co-hosted the panel ‘British Leadership on Global Financial Reform: The UK’s Role as a Global Debt and Tax Superpower’. It was a rich cross-party discussion that couldn’t be more timely ahead of the UK hosting the G20 in 2027.

A busy few days in Laycock ward for @islington-labour.bsky.social @islingtonsouth.bsky.social , visiting two of our estates, discussing current issues, listening to residents’ concerns, suggestions and observations. We are here and on our residents’ side

1. At last a few details on the proposed new immigration and asylum appeals body. Letter from Home Sec to chair of the Justice Committee. Full text here committees.parliament.uk/publications...

New Year, another bright Saturday out on the doorstep with Cllr Nurullah Turan in conversation on Samuel Lewis estate, Laycock ward for @islington-labour.bsky.social @islingtonsouth.bsky.social

We are aware this is a really difficult time for the family and ask people to be mindful of their needs and wishes. Many in our community will also be grieving, if you need any extra support you can access islington.gov.uk/social-care-an…

Murder investigation following death of 15-year-old boy | Islington Council News Cllr Una O’Halloran, Leader of Islington Council, said: “We’re deeply shocked and saddened that a 15-year-old boy has died following a stabbing on Westbourne Road this afternoon (Tuesday, 9 December).

As Laycock Ward Cllrs we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss yesterday, our condolances are with the family. Thank you St Giles Church for the support shown at this incredibly difficult time. We are continuing to offer support and reassurance to the community

www.islington.media/news/murder-...

Letter: UK asylum reforms lack a credible development commitment From Tony Vaughan, Labour MP for Folkestone, Human Rights KC, House of Commons, London SW1, UK

Friend of LCID @tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social has written in the FT about asylum reforms.

We quote Copenhagen on immigration, but “go strangely quiet on the other half of the Danish model”. Unlike the UK, Denmark has recommitted to its 0.7 international aid target.

www.ft.com/content/f481...

Busy weekend in Laycock Ward for Cllr Turan, Maia Hamilton and I with @islingtonsouth.bsky.social @islington-labour.bsky.social. Lots of conversation, raising issues for residents with Peabody Housing, housing firms and a little Christmas Cheer

As Chair of licensing it is vital to see the work the licensing team, police and nightsafe team are doing to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable night out. Great to join Cllr Angelo Weeks this evening to encourage best practice of WAVE training and see the digital saftey message bus in action.

Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty Strategy document setting out the government’s ambitious decade long mission to tackle the drivers of child poverty across the UK.

Some quick thoughts on the child poverty strategy as it relates to immigration & asylum policy (which is what my research focuses on): 1) great to see recognition of children affected by NRPF as part of 'our children, our future' strategy www.gov.uk/government/p...

259, 279 and 349 bus routes - proposed changes in North London We’re proposing changes to bus routes 259, 279, and 349 to simplify the network and better match services to passenger demand in north and central London. By clicking on each of the buttons below, you...

TFL are proposing changes to⁩ the 259 and 19 bus routes that could impact Laycock ward islington residents -
if you could be affected by these proposed changes and want to have your say, you can do so via the below links
haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/routes-259-2...
haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/bus-routes-1...

This morning, Reform UK held a press conference announcing its budget plans, which include axing the international aid budget. Read this statement from our chair @heathernstaff.bsky.social in response.

As chair of @labourcid.bsky.social It was a privilege to speak alongside @joedromey.bsky.social @anneliesedoddsmp.bsky.social @jeevunsandher.bsky.social, David Miliband and Nana & Finian, discussing the edited collection "promising development" the future of aid, and how action leads to hope

You can read the collection here: fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Great event this evening with @labourcid.bsky.social to discuss our @thefabians.bsky.social edited collection on the future of international development.

Great to hear from some of the fantastic contributors including @anneliesedoddsmp.bsky.social, @jeevunsandher.bsky.social and David Miliband

A strong immigration system doesn't need to be a cruel one.

It shouldn't need saying - but refugees & asylum seekers are real people, fleeing war and persecution.

This daughter of an immigrant is proud of our British and Labour values of respect and not turning our backs on people in real need.