Britain's impending departure from the European Union has called the rights of millions of EU citizens living in the UK into question. There is further uncertainty still around the rights of those EU citizens who might migrate here in the future. Will the immigration system provide for any route to permanent settlement? Will new EU migrants have the right to change job or sector, or will they be limited to a single employer? Will they be able to access benefits or free NHS care?

As the answers to these questions unfold, and many of us try to shape the outcome, it's worth taking stock of the situation of migrants from outside Europe too. Over the last decade, non-EU migrants have had to navigate an increasingly complex immigration system, the proliferation of internal border controls, restrictions on their access to public services, and a climate of rising anti-immigrant sentiment and hate crime.

Our work on the Route To Your Rights project also makes clear that in thinking about migrants' experiences, the wider features of life in the UK can't be ignored. New migrants and British citizens alike are weathering a national housing crisis, threats to employment protections as the gig economy balloons, financial austerity, and welfare reform.

Join the Migrants' Rights Network and our panel of expert speakers for a timely reflection on housing, employment and migrants' rights in an age of austerity.

Speakers (more information to come)

Maggie Dewhurst @IWGB_CLB
Maggie is Chair of the Couriers and Logistics Branch of the IWGB Union, a small, independent trade union, whose members are predominantly low paid migrant workers in London.

Dr Omar Khan @RunnymedeTrust
Omar is Director at the Runnymede Trust, the UK's leading independent race equality think tank.

Sue Lukes @SueLukes
Sue is an acknowledged expert on migration, local services and housing, and consults, teaches and writes across these areas in the UK and Europe.

Jonathan Portes @jdportes
Jonathan is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College, London, and Senior Fellow of the Economic and Social Research Council's "UK in a Changing Europe" initiative.

The discussion will be chaired by MRN's Director, Fizza Qureshi.

Venue information

We recommend registering in advance for this event; however, some spaces will be available on the door.

The Senate Alumni Lecture Theatre is fully accessible. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact Gracie Bradley at vme@migrantsrights.org.uk.

If you aren't able to join us, you can follow the discussion at @migrants_rights #MRNausterity.