In his blog, BBC Business Editor Robert Preston adds his voice to the growing business and political lobby over concerns that the government's interim immigration cap is harming the UK economy.
Mr Preston said:
“As luck would have it, bumped into the boss of one of our largest manufacturing exporters last night, who complained that his ability to expand in the UK was being seriously hampered by the new restrictions on his ability to hire from outside the European Union, that have been imposed by the coalition government.”
He continued:
“My manufacturer says that the pool of highly skilled people just isn't wide enough or deep enough in the UK. And in recent weeks I have heard identical comments from bankers, software designers, drug makers and so on.
“So if they want to invest and grow in the UK, they argue that they must have the ability to import the best talent from the rest of the world.”
Mr Preston points out that if Britain wants to compete in an increasingly competitive world they must attract the best talent:
“The problem is that the required nurturing of so-called human capital takes years.
And British-based businesses want to expand now.
“Here's the serious concern: if there are skill constraints on their ability to grow in the UK, they'll take their investment to other countries where the appropriate skills can be obtained.
“That would be a concern at a time when public spending cuts are having a seriously dampening impact on an already weak economy - and when the government is relying on private-sector growth to take up the slack.”
He concludes:
“What many businesses have said to me is that it is all very well for the government to turn to them to re-stimulate the economy, and they would like to rise to the challenge, but restricting their ability to buy from across the world is a binding, painful fetter.”
This week a cabinet minister, UK Business Secretary Vince Cable, unusually spoke out against official government policy.
In a statement to the FT, the Liberal Democrat MP said that the immigration rules and immigration cap are causing "a lot of damage to business industry’.
Last week Conservative London Mayor Boris Johnson broke from his own party ranks over immigration, warning that plans to limit the number of migrants to Britain will damage the economy.
Care sector depends on migrant workers
The financial and industrial sectors are not alone in depending on non-EU migrant workers to fill skills gaps.
The care industry and NHS would not be able to operate without foreign workers and students filling the vacancies in medical staff, nursing, care, cleaning and catering.
The number of migrant workers and students coming into the UK has already been reduced this year by tweaking the point based system or changing immigration Rules, as well as slashing the shortage occupations list for skilled workers coming in under Tier 2.
See also:
London Mayor Boris Johnson demands immigration cap is scrapped
Government MAC adviser says dependant visas must be cut as part of immigration cap
UK Border Agency announce new fee increase for immigration and nationality applications
Minister to announce crackdown on student visa numbers today
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekly UK Immigration News Round up 19 September 2010
Vince Cable says immigration cap is damaging British industry
This week a cabinet minister, UK Business Secretary Vince Cable, unusually spoke out against official government policy.
Labour trafficking suspects arrested
The UK Border Agency reports that three Indian men have been arrested by immigration officers, in conjunction with Northamptonshire Police, in Kettering as part of an investigation into suspected labour trafficking.
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Britain
Pope Benedict XVI arrived this morning in Edinburgh at the start of the first papal visit to the UK for 28 years.
Lord Bingham ‘the greatest judge of our time’ dies aged 76
Britain lost one of its greatest judges this week when Lord Bingham past away.
Sham marriage fixer guilty
A Portuguese man admitted acting as a ‘fixer’ in a sham marriage at a Bristol church, The UK Border Agency reports.
Former Immigration Minister Phil Woolas campaign ‘to make white folk angry’
The BBC reports that the former immigration minister Phil Woolas set out to “make the white folk angry” in his election campaign, a specially convened court heard.
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
For more information on how you can migrate to Canada - CLICK HERE
This week a cabinet minister, UK Business Secretary Vince Cable, unusually spoke out against official government policy.
Labour trafficking suspects arrested
The UK Border Agency reports that three Indian men have been arrested by immigration officers, in conjunction with Northamptonshire Police, in Kettering as part of an investigation into suspected labour trafficking.
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Britain
Pope Benedict XVI arrived this morning in Edinburgh at the start of the first papal visit to the UK for 28 years.
Lord Bingham ‘the greatest judge of our time’ dies aged 76
Britain lost one of its greatest judges this week when Lord Bingham past away.
Sham marriage fixer guilty
A Portuguese man admitted acting as a ‘fixer’ in a sham marriage at a Bristol church, The UK Border Agency reports.
Former Immigration Minister Phil Woolas campaign ‘to make white folk angry’
The BBC reports that the former immigration minister Phil Woolas set out to “make the white folk angry” in his election campaign, a specially convened court heard.
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
For more information on how you can migrate to Canada - CLICK HERE
Friday, September 10, 2010
UK Border Agency to increase fees for immigration and nationality cases
The UK Border Agency has announced plans to increase immigration and nationality application fees for all those applying to visit, study, work or stay in the UK from autumn 2010.
In line with, the agency blamed the fee increases on ‘budgetary pressures’ and government cuts in public spending, and said the ‘proposals for in-year fees increase will help to offset some of these pressures alongside efficiency savings’.
The implementation date of the fees hike will be published shortly.
Examples of the fee increases include:
Immigration adviser Evelie Padadac was surprised by the mid-year increase saying:
“They normally increase fees once a year in April and this is the first time I have seen a second increase in the same year.
“However, the increases are quite small, as little as two pounds in some cases, and the in country Tier 4 student visa will remain at £357.”
See also:
Minister to announce crackdown on student visa numbers today
Smarter immigration controls needed says Minister Damian Green
Government adviser says dependant visas must be cut as part of immigration cap
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
In line with, the agency blamed the fee increases on ‘budgetary pressures’ and government cuts in public spending, and said the ‘proposals for in-year fees increase will help to offset some of these pressures alongside efficiency savings’.
The implementation date of the fees hike will be published shortly.
Examples of the fee increases include:
- Settlement visas from £644 to £750 (apparently they "offer an extremely generous package of benefits to applicants", which sounds like Time Share speak to me)
- Tier 1 visa from £690 to 750
- Tier 1 in-country from £840 to £850
- Tier 2 visa from £270 to £350
- Tier 2 in-country from £475 to £500
- Tier 4 visa from £199 to £220
- Tier 4 in-country held at £357
- Tier 5 from £128 to £130
- Short term visit visas from £68 to £70
- 2, 5 and 10 year visit visas to £245, £450 and £650 respectively
- Increase in dependent fees to 20-30% of the principal applicant fee
Immigration adviser Evelie Padadac was surprised by the mid-year increase saying:
“They normally increase fees once a year in April and this is the first time I have seen a second increase in the same year.
“However, the increases are quite small, as little as two pounds in some cases, and the in country Tier 4 student visa will remain at £357.”
See also:
Minister to announce crackdown on student visa numbers today
Smarter immigration controls needed says Minister Damian Green
Government adviser says dependant visas must be cut as part of immigration cap
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship or an appeal against a refusal please email:
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Immigration Matters: Weekly UK Immigration News Round up 05 September 2...
Immigration Matters: Weekly UK Immigration News Round up 05 September 2...: "Illegal immigrants working in the House of Commons A firm called ‘KGB Cleaners’ employing illegal workers in the House of Commons. You coul..."
Weekly UK Immigration News Round up 05 September 2010
Illegal immigrants working in the House of Commons
A firm called ‘KGB Cleaners’ employing illegal workers in the House of Commons. You couldn’t make it up!
Migrating to Canada: eligibility criteria for federal skilled worker applications
Want to migrate to Canada under the federal skilled worker scheme? Check out the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, which outlines the following changes to the elligibility critieria effective 26 June 2010
Domestic Worker OFW jumps to her death from 7th floor condo with umbrella
Filipino migrant rights group is urging the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia to investigate the death of an unidentified overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who supposedly jumped out of the window of her employer’s condominium unit on the 7th floor of a building using an umbrella as a parachute to escape
Migrant millionaire entrepreneur Vijay Patel honoured by De Montfort University
Indian-origin entrepreneur Vijay Patel, who came to Britain from Kenya 40 years ago with only five pounds in his pocket but went on to find riches in the pharmaceuticals industry, has been honoured by his old university.
POEA opens Regional offices for returning OFWs
Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), or “balikmanggagawa,” from Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte can now process their overseas employment certificates (OECs) without going to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) head office in Mandaluyong City.
Net immigration figure pose a problem for UK Prime Minister Cameron
Last week’s figures showing a sharp rise in immigration into the UK is sure to add to the pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron to say how his proposed cap on annual immigration will work and at what level it will be set, the Financial Times reports.
See also:
Massive Job Opportunities in Canada
Why the world wants to be Canadian
For more information on how you can migrate to Canada - CLICK HERE
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
A firm called ‘KGB Cleaners’ employing illegal workers in the House of Commons. You couldn’t make it up!
Migrating to Canada: eligibility criteria for federal skilled worker applications
Want to migrate to Canada under the federal skilled worker scheme? Check out the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, which outlines the following changes to the elligibility critieria effective 26 June 2010
Domestic Worker OFW jumps to her death from 7th floor condo with umbrella
Filipino migrant rights group is urging the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia to investigate the death of an unidentified overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who supposedly jumped out of the window of her employer’s condominium unit on the 7th floor of a building using an umbrella as a parachute to escape
Migrant millionaire entrepreneur Vijay Patel honoured by De Montfort University
Indian-origin entrepreneur Vijay Patel, who came to Britain from Kenya 40 years ago with only five pounds in his pocket but went on to find riches in the pharmaceuticals industry, has been honoured by his old university.
POEA opens Regional offices for returning OFWs
Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), or “balikmanggagawa,” from Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte can now process their overseas employment certificates (OECs) without going to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) head office in Mandaluyong City.
Net immigration figure pose a problem for UK Prime Minister Cameron
Last week’s figures showing a sharp rise in immigration into the UK is sure to add to the pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron to say how his proposed cap on annual immigration will work and at what level it will be set, the Financial Times reports.
See also:
Massive Job Opportunities in Canada
Why the world wants to be Canadian
For more information on how you can migrate to Canada - CLICK HERE
info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
Friday, September 03, 2010
Ecademy Marketplace: Canada migration: New skilled worker eligibility criteria
Ecademy Marketplace: Canada migration: New skilled worker eligibility criteria
http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/category/news
http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/category/news
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