Criminal offence to rent property to illegal immigrants - guilty landlords face 5 years in jail

Last year was momentous for the UK – the vote to leave the European Union or 'Brexit', a new UK Prime Minister (Theresa May), a new U.S. President elect, Donald Trump, who will be sworn in this Friday, as well more new Immigration Rules from the Home Office.

Trump has promised to get tough on undocumented migrants by, among other measures, ending the rights of so-called 'anchor babies' - born on American soil to undocumented migrants - to obtain U.S. Citizenship. In the UK, unlike the U.S., citizenship is not granted by virtue of being born here. However, human rights grounds have been widely used to legalise the parents of children born in the UK.

In February 2016, I informed my readers that, as part of Government plans to crack down on illegal immigration, private landlords in England should be carrying out mandatory "right-to-rent" checks on tenants for all new tenancies, Many do not know how or perhaps don't bother. They should start learning, and fast. Landlords can be fined up to £3000 for letting a property to anyone who does not have the right to reside in the UK. 

But things are about to get even tougher under new rules recently announced by Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

From 1 December, the Home Office made it a criminal offence if a landlord knows or have “reasonable cause to believe” that their property is occupied by someone who is disqualified due to their immigration status. Convicted landlords can face a jail term of up to 5 years - yes, PRISON, and a criminal record. 

The National Landlords Association (NLA) say landlords may avoid a criminal conviction provided they have a 'robust defence' and can demonstrate that they have taken appropriate steps to check a tenant's immigration status. 

The new Home Office restrictions will make it more difficult for visa overstayers and illegal immigrants to rent accommodation. They are already finding it harder to open a bank account or work in the UK without a work permit or the correct UK visa.

Landlords must carry out proper checks and keep records to prove it. The civil penalties still apply in addition to the new criminal offence for more serious cases.

I hope 2017 will be a good year for you, whether you want to earn more money, travel, stay healthy or just be happy!

International students needed by UK Universities and they contribute billions to the UK economy

UK higher education brings billions of pounds into the economy with thousands of international students coming here to study and, for many, to make a life in Britain.

Immigration Rules allow university students to work under a student visa while studying in the UK and apply for a Tier 2 work permit after they graduate with a UK degree. 

But under new proposals announced by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, graduates will be required to leave the country and re-apply for a UK visa to come back and work.

The government must balance the need to control immigration and keep the economy moving in the right direction. Figures show that thousands of students are remaining in the UK after their studies putting more pressure on Home Office net migration targets.

Putting it in simple terms, an international student from a less affluent country can make more money in the UK as a care worker than he can back home as a lawyer or accountant. 

The problem is, a low paid care worker on minimum wage is not contributing to the economy - many will pay hardly any tax and if they have children at schools will be a net drain on the system.

Employers want a more open UK visa system for foreign students and Tier 2 workers, as this gives them a wider choice of available talent.

On the other hand, the country is facing a huge shortage of housing which is forcing prices beyond the reach of young people trying to get on the property ladder.

UK universities argue that they are competing with countries, like Australia, which welcome the best students and allow them to stay on to find and obtain working visas.

International students are important to the UK’s economy, contributing billions of pounds every year and creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

Many UK universities appear in the top of world’s league tables year after year, and need the best national and international talent to stay ahead of the competition.

For overseas students and migrants, the UK remains a huge draw because of its strong economy, flexible business laws and money making opportunities. Frankly, Britain needs their energy and drive.