Summary

Media caption,

Home secretary vows 'fundamental shift' in immigration system

  1. What's made the Sunday papers?published at 09:03 British Summer Time 11 May

    Daily Mail and the Observer front covers on 11 May 2025

    The Observer, fresh from a takeover, continues its new style of full front page photographs with a picture of US President Donald Trump's dynasty, showing his children and their spouses. A magazine-style headline reads: "The firm: Trump Inc and the new age of corruption".

    The Sunday People goes early with its speculation of who will be appearing in the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing this September.

    The Sunday Telegraph claims retired policeman Julian Foulkes was arrested and cautioned in 2023 for a "thought crime" after challenging a supporter of pro-Palestinian marches on X. A police spokesperson tells the Telegraph the caution was "not appropriate in the circumstances".

    The Sunday Times runs with a lead story on businessman Graham King - known as the "Asylum King" - who it says has become a billionaire after "profits soared" for his migrant-housing firm. It also talks about the government's new plans on immigration.

    The Sunday Mirror splashes with a story on the Duchess of Sussex's dad, who they say has a "new life... a world away from hers".

    You can see more of this morning's front pages here.

  2. The show is starting, it's time to tune inpublished at 09:01 British Summer Time 11 May

    Laura Kuenssberg has appeared and the show is starting.

    As a reminder, you can tune in by clicking watch live at the top of this page.

    Otherwise, follow along here as we bring you live updates throughout the morning.

  3. Almost time for Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg to beginpublished at 08:57 British Summer Time 11 May

    For those just joining us here for our coverage of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, welcome.

    We're providing live updates and analysis, and you can tune into the livestream via the watch live button at the top of this page from 09:00 BST.

  4. Immigration explained: Five key terms you need to knowpublished at 08:50 British Summer Time 11 May

    • Net migration: The difference between the number of people leaving and arriving into the UK
    • Asylum seeker: Someone asking for sanctuary due to dangers faced in their home country. In the UK, these applications are all processed by the Home Office. An asylum seeker does not have the same rights as a British citizen or a refugee while they await their decision
    • Refugee: Someone who has been forced to leave their home country. The Home Office decides which asylum seekers get refugee status. In the UK, this status lasts for five years and they can work and receive some benefits
    • Migrant: A catchall term for someone who moves from one area to another, either permanently or temporarily. They might be forced to move because of war, natural disaster or persecution, or because they have chosen to study or live elsewhere
    • Immigrant: You might hear the term “legal immigrant” and “illegal immigrant” used. Legal immigrants are those who have entered the UK with permission, whereas illegal immigrants arrived without it. Some illegal immigrants make claims for asylum once they arrive

    Read more on the key terms here.

  5. Migration numbers explainedpublished at 08:44 British Summer Time 11 May

    The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that 1.2 million people expecting to stay at least a year came to the UK in the year to June 2024. During that period, it estimates that 479,000 left the UK.

    Therefore, net migration - the number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving - was 728,000 in the year to June 2024,

    That was a 20% drop from the number of people who came in the 12 months to June 2023.

    The newly revised total for that period was 906,000, far higher than the previous estimate of 740,000.

    Map showing net migration figures from 1991 to 2024. Continual steady rise then sharp rise between 2017 and 2024.
  6. Labour to unveil big immigration plans next week - but will they win back votes?published at 08:35 British Summer Time 11 May

    Laura Kuenssberg
    Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

    A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to DoverImage source, PA Media

    "A failed free market experiment" – that's how the home secretary will describe the approach that's seen vast numbers of people from around the world come to the UK to pour pints in pubs, to cut hair, to care for the most vulnerable, to pick fruit, or to fix our plumbing.

    Yvette Cooper is getting ready to unveil the government's overhaul of the rules that determine who can come to the UK with permission, and for how long.

    Her White Paper, which will be called "Restoring Control Over the Immigration System" and be 69 pages long, is a big moment for Labour to try to sort a messy system, under which the numbers of people moving here rose way over most people's imagination.

    With Reform hard on Labour's heels, capitalising on public concern about immigration, the success or failure of Cooper is vital to the government.

    So what has Labour come up with?

  7. Who's who on today's show?published at 08:30 British Summer Time 11 May

    Chris Philp in a suit.Image source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, will be questioned by Laura

    It's another eclectic mix of guests this week on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

    Here's who we're expecting to see on the show shortly.

    In the hot seat:

    • Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary
    • Chris Philp, shadow home secretary

    Also on the show:

    • Steph, who has chosen to waive her anonymity, will be sharing her experience of abuse by grooming gangs

    A musical guest:

    • Yungblud, English singer-songwriter

    On the panel:

    • Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel prize-winning economist
    • Sian Williams, counselling psychologist and former BBC presenter
    • Louis Mosley, chief executive of Palantir UK
    • Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reform mayor of Greater Lincolnshire
  8. Starmer vows to cut migration with ‘tough new measures’published at 08:17 British Summer Time 11 May

    Britain's Prime Minister Keir StarmerImage source, EPA

    We've just heard from UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer ahead of the government revealing its new immigration plans on Monday.

    In a post on X, he blames the Tories for losing control of the borders and letting net migration reach record highs, “undercutting hardworking Brits”.

    “I won't stand for it,” he says, adding that he will introduce “tough new measures”.

    He finishes the post by saying: “British workers – I’ve got your back.”

  9. What's likely to be in Labour's immigration crackdown?published at 08:06 British Summer Time 11 May

    Brian Wheeler
    Political reporter

    Yvette Cooper wearing a blue jacket looks to cameraImage source, Getty Images

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is preparing to unveil fresh plans to reduce UK net migration, which last year stood at 728,000.

    Successive governments have battled largely in vain to reduce net migration, which is the number of people coming to the UK minus the number leaving.

    In June 2023, the figures hit a record 906,000.

    The Home Office has not yet officially confirmed what will be in its immigration White Paper, due early next week.

    Approaches may include tighter visa restrictions and tougher English language tests.

  10. Yvette Cooper in the hot seat, as government to unveil immigration plans this weekpublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 11 May

    Matt Spivey
    Live editor

    Welcome to our live coverage of this week's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

    Today's guests include the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and her counterpart in the shadow cabinet, Chris Philp. Their appearances come ahead of a migration White Paper being released by the government on Monday.

    Kuenssberg is also being joined by Steph, a victim of the grooming-gangs scandal, who has waived her anonymity to speak to the BBC.

    The issue is in the spotlight again after Kemi Badenoch accused the government of failing to act.

    Musician Yungblud will also be making an appearance on the show.

    We'll be providing regular text updates and you can follow along with the programme by clicking watch live at the top of this page from 09:00 BST. Stay with us.