The UK Government has quietly posted a six-figure job ad not for a policy expert or border agent, but for a communications lead whose main mission is to make the public believe Labour is tackling immigration. Think: Less Border Force, more brand management.
As per the job advert, which was posted two weeks ago on LinkedIn, the Deputy Director Migration Communications role is key to “keeping the streets safe and borders secure.”
For up to $120,000 (£91,000) the candidate will be expected to help “the department to spot and mitigate risks and deliver attitude and behaviour change that ultimately supports the security and economic prosperity of the UK.”
The successful candidate will also see a generous employer contribution to their pension of 28.97%. But they’ll need to come equipt with an ability to navigate crises, influence Ministers, and drive behaviour change across a highly complex, controversial, and high-stakes area of public service.
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And one of the key messages, whoever lands the migration communications role will have to drive home, is that the government is reducing the number of illegal immigrants, including those crossing the Channel in small boats.
They’ll have their work cut out for them. The Telegraph reports that more than 1,000 migrants arrived on 15 small boats within a single day last week, pushing this year’s total to 35,476—up 33% from the same period in 2024. That pace mirrors the record-breaking levels of 2022, when roughly 45,000 people crossed the Channel under the Conservative government.
A Home Office source stressed to The Telegraph that the position was not newly created, and posted due to a staff change—rather than a change in approach. However, in the report, the Conservatives have questioned whether the position will actually make a difference, while suggesting that the new hire is a PR stunt.
“Instead of stopping illegal immigration they are hiring people to try cover it up,” Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said.
The successful candidate will also have to face the public court of approval. Some social media users were quick to slam the job listing as a waste of taxpayer money and government “propaganda.”
“In other words to create misinformation as ‘truth’ and calm you down,” one person wrote on X.
“Instead of fixing an issue they’d rather spend £90k to gaslight you into believing they’ve fixed it,” another added.