New Prime Minister Theresa May revises UK net migration target

So much has happened since The UK voted to leave the EU in the June referendum BREXIT that it’s difficult to know where to start. David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister and has been replaced by a woman, Mrs Theresa May - only the second time we've had a female leader since Margaret Thatcher in the 70’ and 80’s! Boris Johnson is the new Foreign Secretary and we have a new Home Secretary, Amber Rudd – a direct descendant of King Charles II and his mistress, Barbara Palmer.

Amber Rudd, who appeared in the movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral, has a fascinating ‘blue blood’ lineage. King Charles acknowledged five of Palmer’s children as his, including Ms Rudd’s ancestor Anne – and Henry FitzRoy, whose descendants include the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and therefore Princes William and Harry too. Other descendants of Palmer include Sarah, Duchess of York, the Mitford sisters, philosopher Bertrand Russell and former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.

Amber Rudd MP, Home Secretary

Photo By Government of UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/people/amber-rudd, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50153624

Theresa May was Home Secretary, in charge of the Home Office, during the Cameron governments when the coalition government introduced a target to slash net migration to the tens of thousands. Last year net migration was over 350,000 and one of the first things Theresa May did when she moved into 10 Downing Street was to quietly revise this seemingly unreachable target. The target is now for sustainable levels of net migration.

During her long reign as Home Secretary, Mrs May dramatically reduced immigration from outside of the European Union, which, unlike EU migration, she could control. Thousands of colleges were close down and tens of thousands of students lost their sponsorship and returned home.

There are still thousands of student visa overstayers, who could not afford to go back home after failing to obtain a working visa to stay in the UK.

Tough new rules were introduced on marriage and family migration, visa appeals, work permits, indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship, where work permit holders will in future need to earn at least £35,000. The figure, seen as discriminatory by migrant groups, is higher than the UK national average salary and had led to an online petition calling to end to the rule.

Overseas trained international Nurses will be exempt only as long as they remain on the official shortage occupation list, but other work permit holders could face deportation if they fail to make the grade. However, £35,000 is achievable by Nurses, Doctors and Managers. I have met Nurses earning over £50,000 five years ago.  

Student Nurses are finding it difficult to convert to a work permit from their visas as band 3 Nurses. Every week I receive enquiries from distressed nurses who have a UK degree but cannot quite get the required IELTS result, or have lost their visas because the Home Office has cancelled their employer’s Tier 2 sponsorship.

If you are still stuck or unable to migrate, have you considered working from home or setting up a home-based business? Anyone can now set up a home based Internet business working from home or selling goods online. Companies like Amazon, eBay and Upwork offer everyone an opportunity to earn a living and even make a fortune working from home and living the laptop lifestyle.

It has never been as easy as it is right now to set up an online business I work from home. In the past, you needed a lots of technical knowledge and skills to set up websites and marketing ability to work online. Now there are companies which doodle for you.

The internet has opened up a whole new world of learning, working, socialising and doing business. We no longer need to go back to school or university to learn new skills. We can work from home, start a business or find a new life partner all from the comfort of our home.

At the click of a mouse, you can now find everything from a short instructional video to a full degree course online. If you would like more information on a free course on how to survive and thrive in the digital revolution and discover the truth about making money online, click here.

See also:

Uber offering free English courses to migrant worker drivers 

Immigration Act 2016 - main highlights in a nutshell

Special Report

Buy Property With None Of Your Own Money....

Mark Homer explains the strategies that have helped thousands of people buy property with none of their own money.

You can obtain the report free, by clicking here...

Theresa May becomes the UK's second female Prime Minister

Wednesday 13 July 2016. I spent the day in London witnessing the drama and excitement going on in Westminster and the Houses of Parliament, the home of British democracy.

In a few hours we had David Cameron giving his last speech as PM in the House of Commons behind me, then resigning as Prime Minister and the first female leader since Margaret Thatcher taking his place - and home - in 10 Downing Street.

Within hours of taking the helm of UK PLC, Theresa May started forming her new government. Out goes George Osborne and in comes Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and surprise move of the day being Boris Johnson's appointment as Foreign Secretary.

Taking Theresa's old job as Home Secretary will be Amber Rudd, the former Energy and Climate Change Secretary and investment banker. She takes over at the Home Office - border control, UK Visas, Police and homeland security -  where Mrs May has lasted longer than any minister in modern times.

Leave campaigner and euro sceptic, David Davis will be in charge of the important BREXIT (Britain's exit from the EU) process, which should dismiss claims that May, a remain campaigner, will not honour the 17 million people who voted the leave the European Union last month.

Governments make policies and run the wider economy, public spending etc, but ordinary folk like you and I have to run our OWN economy.

Home Based Revolution and Digital Economy

It's a strange fact that at least two of the world's most powerful leaders actually work from home! That's right, they live above the shop and have a home office. Well, not quite, but get this. Within a day of the decision to appoint Theresa May as Prime Minister David and Samantha Cameron were packing their belongings and a van turned up to move them out of number 10!

Seriously, there is a huge shift going on today with more and more people opting to get out of the rat race and daily 9-5 grind and seek a new more satisfying way of living. We want more from life, we want a LIFE, and we are not going to get it spending 40 years commuting to an office or workplace 5 days a week while our families grow up faster than we can say "where did the years go?".

Whether you want to be a stay at home mum or someone who wants to persuade their boss to allow them to work from home a few days a week there is a quiet revolution taking place and it has become possible in the digital age. The problem is, most people don't know how they can make the shift from regular job to home-based entrepreneur or worker.

Whatever stage you are at on your journey to find your ideal life, you may want to check out a free video training series which teaches you the basic steps of becoming a digital entrepreneur and gives you some useful ideas that could make working from home and living the laptop lifestyle a reality faster than you think.

Theresa May will become the next UK Prime Minister, but will EU BREXIT take place?

Home Secretary Theresa May will become the next UK Prime Minister, replacing David Cameron who will officially resign on Wednesday, after her leadership rival Andrea Leadsom stepped down from the contest on Monday. There will be no drawn-out leadership election and May will move into Number 10 Downing Street this week.

Cameron, who was expected to stay on until the Autumn, will chair his last cabinet meeting today and, in line with British tradition and constitution, visit the Queen (Head of State) on Wednesday to tender his resignation.

He looks like a man who will be pleased to hand over the reins and get on with his life and young family. He will remain an MP in Oxfordshire and could take on other roles within the new government, although most former Prime Ministers tend to be gracefully retreat into the background to give the new leader space.

As Home Office boss since 2010, Theresa May oversaw David Cameron's plan to reduce net migration to the "tens of thousands" before the end of the last Parliament. The BBC claim she did not agree with the policy which saw thousands of private colleges closed down and abolition number of schemes including post study work visa, which attracted foreign students to come to the UK to study.  

The plan failed, partly due to uncontrolled EU migration, and year net migration topped 330,000. The Conservative government has reduced new non-EU immigration, for instance by capping work permits and reducing the number of visa appeals allowed, but it will take a number of years for these policies to bear fruit. In the meantime, family migration - linked to migrants already in the UK - will continue to boom for the next few years even if we leave the EU.

BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said that May had a vice-like grip on the huge department cover immigration, UK borders, policing and counter-terrorism, and developed a deep understanding of the issues. Having met her after a speech at a small gathering, I can attest that she handled tough questions with ease and knew her subject inside out.

“BREXIT means BREXIT” - Theresa May

In her first public speech as PM elect yesterday, Mrs May said she would build a better Britain and make us stronger together. She also promised implement the BREXIT plans to leave the European Union and make a success of it. She would appear to be ruling out any chance of a second referendum despite being a ‘remain’ campaigner before the historic vote where 17 million people voted out and 16 million voted to stay in the EU. 

There are no plans to reverse BREXIT (Britain's exit) and the actual process will take place after a Parliamentary vote to invoke 'Article 50' and start the complex divorce negotiations to quit the EU. 

There is no change to the status of EU Nationals living in the UK at the moment and life goes on for everyone as we all deal with our own 'economy'.

Contrary to 'doom and gloom' predictions, life is getting back to normal with the Stock Market at higher pre-referendum levels, John Lewis reporting an bounce-back in sales and foreign property investor enquiries soaring with the benefit of a cheaper Pound - which has also helped tourist numbers leap. Siemens, the German industrial giant, has announced that it will stay in the UK and invest more money.      

At the time of writing, there has been no announcement on who will take over as Home Secretary, as she will now be in charge of appointing her successor or reshuffling the cabinet. 

Theresa May, who rose from humble beginnings as the daughter of a Vicar and served as a Councillor and Party Chairman, is seen as the steady pair of hands needed to guide the country through the challenging times ahead. She lasted longer in the Home Office – traditionally seen as a graveyard post – than any Home Secretary in modern times and is a ‘no nonsense’ leader who “gets on with the job”.

For further information on the status of EU Nationals in the UK following the BREXIT vote see the UK Government/UK Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-the-status-of-eu-nationals-in-the-uk 

Non EU immigration consultation launched by Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) launched a consultation yesterday on the annual limit of the number of non-EU migrants admitted to work in the UK through Tiers 1 and 2 of the points based system, the UK Border Agency announced.

The government has asked the MAC, as an independent expert body on migration, to provide advice on the level of the permanent economic migration limit for its first full year of operation. The permanent limit is intended to be implemented from April 2011.

As well as the economic impacts, the MAC will take into account the social and public service impacts of immigration on the UK.

The consultation will be open for submissions until 7 September 2010, and the MAC advice will be presented to the government by the end of that month. A paper setting out the consultation questions and procedures for submitting evidence has been published today.

The Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, Professor David Metcalf, said:

'The Migration Advisory Committee is pleased that it has been asked to carry out this work and looks forward to working with its partners to develop robust and well-informed advice to the government.'

The consultation is running in parallel with the UK Border Agency's limits on non-EU economic migration which was announced on 28 June.

Businesses concerned about a cap on non-EU skilled migrants should take part in the consultation. This week a prominent business group warned that the Government-imposed limit on immigration could pose a risk to the UK recovery.

Government ministers such as the education secretary, Michael Gove, and the universities secretary, David Willetts, have privately warned last week that too rigid an immigration cap could hit Britain’s competitiveness and reputation among top overseas students. The business secretary, Vince Cable, voiced his concerns in public about a too-inflexible cap.

Home Secretary Theresa May unveiled a highly “business friendly” consultation paper earlier this week outlining how the new annual limit for skilled migrants – to be introduced from next April – might work.

A temporary cap to be imposed from July – to prevent a surge in applications ahead of the cap – includes such widespread exemptions that nearly half those who currently qualify for skilled worker visas will be exempt. The exemptions include multinational companies transferring staff and elite sports people, so new restrictions on the use of overseas players in football’s Premier League are ruled out.

Immigrant cap will ‘hit growth’ business tells UK Government

UK immigration cap Q&A – your questions answered

Home Office confirm UK migration limit

Immigration cap ‘would damage hospitality sector’ say REC

Home Secretary’s statement to the House of Commons on immigration cap

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

UK Home Office clarification on changes to Tier 1 points

On 28 June the UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced that the pass mark for Tier 1 (General) will be increased from 95 points to 100 points from 19 July. Following a ‘number of enquires’ about who will be affected by this change, they have issued the following clarification:

‘If you are in the UK in one of the following categories and are applying to extend your stay in Tier 1 (General), you will need to score 95 points:

• Tier 1 (General)
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
• Writers, Composers and Artists
• Self-Employed Lawyers

‘If you are in the UK in any other category, for example Tier 1 (Post-study work), then you will need to score 100 points when you apply to switch into Tier 1 (General).

If you are applying from outside the UK, you will need to score 100 points.’

Source: UK Border Agency

UKBA challenge Appeal Court Tier 1 ruling on AP (Russia) and others

Home Secretary’s statement to the House of Commons on immigration cap

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

UK Government impose limit for Tier 2 (General) working visas of points-based system

The UK government will slap a limit on the number of migrants from outside of the European Union from April 2011 and introduce an interim cap on 19 July 2010.

The Home Office this week issued the following announcement regarding the annual limit on non-EU migration:

From April 2011, the government will introduce an annual limit on applications for Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system.

An interim limit will be introduced from 19 July 2010 until the long-term limit is introduced in April 2011. The interim limit will apply only to the number of certificates of sponsorship that an employer can issue. Applications from migrants will continue to be assessed as normal.

The Intra company transfer, Sportsperson and Minister of religion categories of Tier 2 will not be included in the interim limit.

What is the interim limit?

From 19 July 2010, we will introduce a limit on the number of certificates of sponsorship that each sponsor can assign to migrant workers under Tier 2 (General).

Sponsors may request additional certificates of sponsorship, using the sponsorship management system, while the interim limit is in operation. However, we will only approve these requests in exceptional circumstances; the sponsor will need to show that it has used all its certificates of sponsorship and has a pressing need to issue further certificates of sponsorship.

Details of our criteria for assessing requests will be set out in updated sponsor guidance, which will be published on 19 July. We will give priority to certificates of sponsorship required for extension applications and shortage occupations

A number of certificates of sponsorship will be set aside for new sponsor licence holders.

Applicants who are in the UK in another immigration category and wish to switch into Tier 2 (General) will be included in the limit.

More information about the interim limit will be published on this page in due course.

What will happen to my application if the limit is reached?

A migrant must have a valid certificate of sponsorship to make a Tier 2 application. If you have a valid certificate of sponsorship, you are inside the limit and your application will be assessed as normal.

Source: Home Office

Government ministers such as the education secretary, Michael Gove, and the universities secretary, David Willetts, have privately warned last week that too rigid an immigration cap could hit Britain’s competitiveness and reputation among top overseas students. The business secretary, Vince Cable, voiced his concerns in public about a too-inflexible cap.

Home Secretary Theresa May has unveiled a consultation paper earlier this week outlining how the new annual limit for skilled migrants might work.

See also:

UK immigration cap Q&A – your questions answered

Immediate cap on non-EU migrant workers to be introduced by Home Office

Immigration cap ‘would damage hospitality sector’ say REC

Home Office confirm UK migration limit

Home Secretary’s statement to the House of Commons on immigration cap

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Theresa May's statement to the House of Commons on immigration limit

Earlier this week the Home Secretary Theresa May announced that the number of workers entering the UK from outside Europe will be controlled by a new limit.

Theresa May told the House of Commons that the government would ‘scale back net migration to the levels of the 1990s - with the effect that it will be in the tens of thousands rather than hundreds of thousands. Imposing a cap on non EU migrants from coming here to work is just one of the ways the government intends to achieve this.

Details of how the final limit will be delivered will be agreed following a 12-week government consultation with businesses. In the meantime, an interim limit will be introduced to ensure that there is no 'closing down sale' and the number of work visas issued stays below 2009 levels.

The results of the consultation on the permanent limit will pave the way for the government's fundamental changes on the way in which workers from outside the European Union (EU) will be chosen to come and work in the UK.

The Home Secretary has also asked the Migration Advisory Committee, the government's independent adviser on migration issues, to launch a separate consultation into what level the limit should be set at, taking into account social and economic impacts.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

'This government believes that Britain can benefit from migration but not uncontrolled migration. I recognise the importance of attracting the brightest and the best to ensure strong economic growth, but unlimited migration places unacceptable pressure on public services.

'While we consult on our tough new limit it's important we have an interim measure to avoid a "closing down sale" for migrants and ensure that the number of work visas issued stays below 2009 levels.

'The government will also introduce measures to support British people. Alongside limits will be action to get Britain back to work and provide business with the skills they need from the resident workforce - reducing the need for migrants at the same time as we reduce their number.'

These interim measures include:

• a cap on the number of Tier 1 migrants at current levels and raising the number of points needed by non-EU workers who come to do highly skilled jobs from 95 to 100; and
• a limit on the number of certificates of sponsorship that licensed employers can issue to those who wish to come to fill skilled job vacancies. This will reduce the number of people entering through Tier 2 by 1,300.

The Home Secretary added:

'The government promised large-scale change to Britain's immigration system - and that is what we are delivering. Alongside the limit on non EU migrant workers, we have already introduced a requirement that those coming here to marry learn English, and our urgent review into child detention for immigration purposes is under way.'

Click here to find out about the consultation and how to take part in the consultation.

This UK Border Agency website contains more information about the Tier 1 interim limit and the Tier 2 interim limit.

Home Secretary's statement to the House of Commons

The Home Secretary made the following oral statement to the House of Commons today:

'Immigration has enriched our culture and enhanced our society. Britain can benefit from immigration, but not uncontrolled immigration. The levels of net migration seen under the previous government - an annual figure of almost a quarter of a million at its peak in 2004 - were unprecedented in recent times. It is this government's aim to reduce the level of net migration back down to the levels of the 1990s - tens of thousands each year, not hundreds of thousands.

'Of course, it is necessary to attract the world's very best talent to come to the UK to drive strong economic growth, but unlimited migration has placed unacceptable pressure on public services and, worse, severely damaged public confidence in our immigration system. Our over-reliance on migrant labour has done nothing to help the millions of unemployed and low-skilled British citizens who deserve the government's help to get back to work and improve their skills. The coalition's programme for government confirmed the government's intention to introduce an annual limit on the number of non-EU economic migrants admitted into the UK to live and work. We have always said that we will consult on the implementation of that limit. It is important that the government take full account of the views of business and other interested sectors. We want to ensure that we can properly weigh the economic considerations against the wider social and public service implications.

'I am therefore launching a consultation today on the mechanisms for implementing that annual limit, including questions about the coverage of limits, as well as the mechanics of how they will work in practice. The consultation also recognises the need to attract more high net-worth individuals to the UK through the routes for investors and entrepreneurs, which will not be covered by limits, and we ask for views on how that can be achieved. At the same time, I have commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to provide advice to the government on the levels at which limits should be set for the first full year of their operation, which I intend should be from April 2011.

'I am sure that all Members of the House would agree with me that the Migration Advisory Committee has an excellent track record in this area, and I want to take this opportunity to record my thanks to David Metcalf and the rest of the committee for taking on this critical piece of work. The consultations will be complete by the end of September, and I intend to make final announcements about the first full annual limit before the end of the calendar year.

'It is important that today's announcement does not lead to a surge of applications during this interim period, which would lead to an increase in net migration, undermining the purpose of the limit and putting undue strain on the UK Border Agency. I am therefore also taking a number of interim measures, and I have laid a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules in support of those measures. First, I am introducing an interim limit on the number of out-of-country main applicants to Tier 1 (General). For 2010-11, this route will be held flat from the equivalent period for 2009-10. The Tier 1 routes for investors, entrepreneurs and the post-study route are not affected. Secondly, to ensure that those who do come through this route are the brightest and best, I am raising the Tier 1 (General) pass mark by five points for all new applicants.

'Thirdly, I am introducing an interim limit on the number of migrants who can be offered jobs by sponsor employers through Tier 2 (General). This route will be reduced in the interim period by 1,300 migrants, the equivalent of a 5 per cent reduction across the relevant routes of Tiers 1 and 2. The Tier 2 routes for intra-company transfers, ministers of religion and - I am not sure whether to say this, given the comments at the end of the Prime Minister's statement - elite sportspeople are not affected. These interim measures will take effect from 19 July.

'It is vital that we restore public confidence in our immigration system. Our plans to do that extend much further than the measures I am announcing today. We support e-Borders and the re-introduction of exit checks. We have said that we will create a dedicated border police force to enhance national security, improve immigration controls and crack down on the trafficking of people, weapons and drugs. We have committed to improving our asylum system to speed up the processing of applications. We have said that we will end the detention of children for immigration purposes, and the UK Border Agency has already launched a review engaging a wide range of experts and organisations on how to achieve this.

'Our commitment to reduce net migration will require action, as I am sure the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) will indicate in a moment, beyond the economic routes. It may assist him if I tell the House now that I will be reviewing other immigration routes in due course and will be bringing forward further proposals for consideration by the House. And, of course, unlike the previous government, we are committed to applying transitional controls for all new EU member states.

'The commitment to introduce limits on non-EU economic migration is a major immigration commitment of the coalition government. Today's announcement is a key step towards the delivery of that commitment, and I commend this statement to the House.' Source: Uk Border Agency

See also:

Government limit for Tier 2 (General) of the points-based system

UK Border Agency issue clarification on changes to Tier 1 points

UKBA challenge Appeal Court Tier 1 ruling on AP (Russia) and others

UK immigration cap Q&A – your questions answered

Immediate cap on non-EU migrant workers to be introduced by Home Office

Immigration cap ‘would damage hospitality sector’ say REC

Home Office confirm UK migration limit

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

UK immigration cap - Q&A

The fantastic BBC website team have produced this useful Q&A on the new immigration cap

How does the British immigration system currently work?

There are different ways to come to live or settle permanently in the UK.

Putting it very simply, migrants fall into five categories: economic migrants, students, temporary workers or visitors, refugees and asylum seekers, or people arriving for family reasons such as marriage.

Family reunion is the easiest part of the system to understand. If you are the partner of a British citizen or someone living permanently in the UK, you can ask to join them. The principles behind the refugee system are relatively simple too. If you believe you need protection because you are being persecuted, you apply for asylum. Government's main focus at the moment is the complicated business of economic migration.

So how does economic migration work?

The British system differentiates between most people who live in Europe and migrants from the rest of the world. If a migrant is a citizen of one of the European Union's member states (or one of the other counties in the European Economic Area), then they are free to compete for jobs in the UK.

This is because the UK is part of the European free trade area under which goods, services and labour can be freely traded across borders. The rules mean that British workers can equally seek work and settle across the rest of the EU.

And what about if you come from elsewhere?

If you come from anywhere else, including Commonwealth nations, a migrant has to apply under one of the "tiers" that make up the Points Based System (PBS).

This is a popular system among leading industrialised nations which allows border agencies to let in people the economy genuinely needs by awarding them points for their skills. Those with the most skills get the most points - and find it easier to get in.

So what are the tiers?

The most prized migrants in the global economy are, logically, the highly skilled. This would include business leaders with top qualifications and experience, doctors, experts in their professional fields and so on.

MIGRATION TO UK 2008

TOTAL: 590,000

UK citizens: 85,000

EU nationals: 198,000

Rest of the world: 307,000

Net inflow: 163,000

Source: ONS Long-term migration statistics (opens ONS page)

Under the Labour government, many of these "Tier 1" migrants could apply to enter the UK without a guaranteed job because experts say they are likely to generate wealth and expand the economy.

Tier 2 of the system covers skilled workers who must be sponsored. An employee advertises a post for a month - and if they believe they can't fill it from the British labour force, they can ask the Home Office for permission to bring in a foreign worker to fill the gap.

Tier 3 covers low skilled workers from outside the EEA - but that part of the system has never been introduced because the government says the vacancies should be filled by UK and European workers.

The fourth tier of the system covers students. The final tier covers temporary workers or visitors - such as young people working in bars or agriculture as they fund gap year travels. It also covers some very specific categories outside of the main economy, such as elite sportsmen and women, performing artists and religious leaders.

Will this system be scrapped?

No. But the new coalition government has pledged to tighten it up because it's the most obvious lever it has to push down levels of migration. It will introduce a cap on migration from April 2011. In the meantime, it is introducing temporary caps on some parts of Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers.

The number of general Tier 1 highly skilled migrants will be capped at the current level of about 5,400 applicants and the points required for entry will also be raised.

Investors and entrepreneurs putting cash into the British economy will not be blocked. The government is also cutting by 1,300 the number of skilled workers who gain entry through Tier 2 - but it won't block companies from moving their own staff in and out of the country, a relatively significant part of economic migration of skilled workers.

What does a cut of 1,300 workers look like in the context of all migration?

The Office for National Statistics says that 505,000 non-British people came to live in the UK for more than a year in 2008.

In the first three months of 2010, the UK Border Agency issued 6,685 Tier 1 visas and 16,915 Tier 2 visas as part of the 406,455 approvals it made to all visitors and economic migrants.

Other figures show some 214,345 were allowed to settle permanently in the UK in the year to March 2010. Just under half of these settlements were granted to people who had come for work and put down roots. The 1,300 temporary cut in skilled worker visas equals about 1.5% of these work-related settlements.

What will the cap be set at?

The government is asking business for its views on what the cap should be and how it should work. Once a cap is in place, it proposes putting all the skilled migrants into a first-come-first-served system - meaning that companies will need to act fast to get the people they want.

For the highly skilled migrants, it suggests placing them all in a pool. Employers could then periodically dip into that pool to fish out the top worker they want.

What effect will a cap have?

The short answer is that we don't know. If the cap were set very high it would have no effect at all. The key question that nobody can answer is how employers will react if it's set very tightly.

Let's take one example - the ongoing demand for home and social care workers. The government has been telling the care industry to do more to train up British workers so that it becomes less reliant on foreign care workers labour from around the world.

But, if a cap is put in place, will employers invest in training British workers - which some warn will lead to higher prices for the services - or will they bring in more workers from cheaper parts of the European Union?

And if they bring in more EU workers, something ministers cannot stop, will the government be able to meet a pledge to reduce levels of net migration back to "tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands"?

Ministers say they're not promising the Earth - but they pledging better control and certainty. They refer to the experience of New Zealand which operates a points and limits system very efficiently. Its labour market is smaller than the population of London - and it's also not part of a trading block comparable to the EU, which accounts for a third of all migration into the UK.

But long-term EU migration patterns are difficult to predict. Many EU economies applied temporary bars on workers from central and Eastern Europe. That bar will be lifted. Home Secretary Theresa May says she will be "very surprised" if that doesn't lead to changes in where workers from countries like Poland head. Source BBC.co.uk

See also:

Home Office confirm UK migration limit

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Immigration will be reduced says Immigration Minister

Damian Green announced last week that the new government will introduce measures to ‘properly control immigration’ following figures released on 24 June which shows an increase in the UK population.

Responding to statistics which showed the population increased in 2008-09, the minister for immigration said the new government intends to reduce immigration numbers back to 1990s levels.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (new window) showed that the population of the UK was 61.8m in mid-2009, an increase of 394,000 on the previous year.

The report showed a total population increase of 2.7m compared with 2001.

'Far too high'

The new Minister for Immigration, who replaced Phil Woolas following the general election, said:

‘We believe that immigration has been far too high in recent years, which is why the new government will reduce net migration back down to the levels of the 1990s — to tens of thousands rather than hundreds of thousands.

‘Over the coming weeks and months the public will see us tackle this issue by introducing a wide range of new measures to ensure that immigration is properly controlled, including a limit on work permits, actions on marriage and an effective system of regulating the students who come here.’ Source: Home Office

There were several media reports last weekend that the coalition government had watered down its flagship ‘immigration cap’ election pledge after a cabinet revolt.

The BBC reports that the Business Secretary Vince Cable defended government plans for a temporary cap on migrant workers from outside the EU, but said it must be implemented in a “flexible way”.

The government has informed the media that it will announce a limit of 24,100 until April 2011 while the coalition consults on introducing a permanent cap.

Whilst Britain has been introducing measures to reduce immigration for the last few years, Canada is attracting the best migrants from both the developing world and the UK. See Why the world wants to be Canadian.

Related immigration articles:

Lib Dem defends temporary cap on non-EU migration

Immediate cap on non-EU migrant workers to be introduced by Home Office

Demographic shift ‘will cut UK growth’ according to ONS figures

Immigration cap ‘would damage hospitality sector’ say REC

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Commons Speaker to investigate leak claim

Immigration Matters reports.

Commons Speaker John Bercow has promised to investigate claims that a statement on immigration was leaked to the media before MPs were informed, the BBC reports.

Labour MP Chris Bryant accused ministers of "consistently leaking to the press".

He added that, in telling the media before MPs about its plans, the government could "laugh at this House".

Mr Bercow promised an inquiry to "decide what action needs to be taken".

In a statement to the Commons, Home Secretary Theresa May announced a consultation on introducing an annual cap on non-EU immigration and said that, as a first step, the number of skilled workers allowed into the UK from outside the EU is to be cut by 1,300 between now and April 2011.

'New pattern'

This was widely reported in the media beforehand.

Making a point of order, Mr Bryant said to the Speaker: "You said last week and you said five weeks ago that you wholly deprecated the practice of ministers announcing things to the press before announce them to this House."

He added: "There's no point getting elected to this House if you might as well have stayed at home and listened to the statement on the radio or television or read it in the newspapers...

"We know we have a government which is consistently leaking to the press."

Mr Bryant said it was important to act because "otherwise, ministers will laugh at this house".

In response, Mr Bercow said he did not know the details of Mr Bryant's claims, but told MPs: "I reiterate in the strongest possible terms that I entirely deprecate the practice of releasing to the media the content of ministerial statements before those statements have been made to the House."

He added: "I can confirm to the honourable gentleman [Mr Bryant] that I'm willing to look further into the precise details of this case, to decide what, if any, action needs to be taken.

"We need to establish a new pattern in this parliament, whereby this sort of thing doesn't happen and, if it does, action is taken."

Mr Bercow said he would report back to MPs with the findings of the inquiry. Source BBC

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Home Office will bring in immediate cap on non-EU migrant workers

A temporary limit on the number of migrant workers from outside the EU allowed into the UK is to be introduced ahead of a planned permanent cap, the BBC reports.

New Home Secretary Theresa May will limit the number of workers to 24,100 - down around 5% - between now and April 2011.

The Conservatives' election pledge to curb immigration survived the coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats.

Labour said that the introduction of an arbitrary immigration cap "is fraught with difficulty".

The temporary cap is aimed at preventing a rush of applications before a permanent cap is set next April.

Ms May will announce the move on Monday, as she launches a consultation process for deciding the level of the permanent cap.

Julia Onslow-Cole, of PricewaterhouseCoopers, told the BBC that every overseas national brought by firms into the UK cost them three times as much as hiring a resident worker.

"They are not spending this money for nothing, they really need that expertise.

"Particularly in these economic times, I think it's very important that we allow businesses a free choice to bring in overseas nationals," she said.

The Bangladesh Caterers' Association - which represents 12,000 Asian restaurants across the UK - says a cap on immigration will have a serious effect on their ability to recruit skilled chefs from outside the EU to work in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the sector said it contributed £30bn to the UK economy and the planned temporary limit would hinder economic recovery and growth.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), which represents the UK's £27bn private recruitment industry, also said it was concerned the cap would lead to greater skills shortages and would affect the delivery of social care in some areas.

A spokesman for the Confederation of British Industry said the organisation would wait until an announcement by the home secretary on Monday before making any comment.

A spokesman for the Labour Party said they would wait until Monday to make a full response, but added: "It seems that senior Tories are also doubtful about the proposals.

"The tough Australian-style points system introduced by Labour has already had a big impact on bringing down migrant numbers and closed the door to unskilled workers from outside the EU.

"We remain committed to an approach that will help our economy and which is tough but fair."

During the election campaign David Cameron said he wanted to reduce net annual migration - the number of immigrants minus the number emigrating from the UK - from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands. The figure currently stands at 163,000.

The Liberal Democrats opposed a cap during the election campaign in May but signed up to the Tory idea as part of the coalition deal.

However they won agreement to end the detention of children in immigration centres.

Alp Mehmet, of MigrationWatchUK, said the introduction of a temporary limit was "a welcome sign that the government is starting as it means to continue".

He said: "We need carefully to consider how net immigration will be brought down to tens of thousands - we believe about 40,000 is a realistic target - rather than the hundreds of thousands of the last 10 years, and is therefore good news for all our people, including immigrants and future immigrants.

"Immigration at the levels of the past decade is in no-one's interest."

Tory MP Peter Bottomley, a member of the cross-party campaign group, Balanced Migration, said the cap was needed.

"Clearly you need to have people you need. If for example, you have Canadian graduates with teaching diplomas, those are the sorts of people we need.

"For many others, we actually have 8% unemployment. It's not the employment thing that matters most to most people, the biggest thing is the effect on environment and on planning."

Tim Finch from the Institute of Public Policy Research, said the measures were just a stopgap and would have a detrimental effect on the higher education sector.

He added: "Do we really want to have restrictions on foreign students at a time when the higher education sector is facing funding cuts and is going to rely on the fees that those students bring in?"

The new government has also axed the national identity card scheme. It was brought in by Labour to tackle fraud, illegal immigration and identity theft but was often criticised for being too expensive and an infringement of civil liberties.

Ministers are also bringing forward to the autumn measures requiring many immigrants marrying UK citizens to prove they have a command of English.

The plans, which Labour had planned to introduce in July 2011, will apply to partners coming to the UK from areas outside the EU, such as South Asia.

What is your reaction to this story? Are you an immigrant from outside the EU? Do you run a business which employs migrant workers? Should the government put a cap on migration?

Office for Budget Responsibility recently predicted that curbs on immigration and costs of an ageing society will slow economy’s growth rate.

Evelie Padadac of Bison UK, which specialises in work and study related visas, said:

"A cap on non-EU migrant workers will do little to help employers who have no other choice but to bring in overseas staff to fill vacant positions.

"Bison UK has just reduced fees for Tier 2 processing and we are extremely busy helping employers become sponsors and worker obtain working visas."

See also:

Demographic shift ‘will cut UK growth’ according to ONS figures

Immigration cap ‘would damage hospitality sector’ say REC

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk