Latest news and developments
November 2008
Shortage Occupation List Confirmed
The government have approved the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) Shortage Occupation List for Tier 2 of the new Points Based Migration System. The list includes "skilled" occupations for which the MAC has identified labour shortages which they feel it would be "sensible" to recruit non-EU workers to fill. The government have made no major amendments to the MAC’s original list other than to include Social Workers as a Shortage Occupation in light of new evidence. For more information see: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/migrantworkers
October 2008
New Immigration Minister Announced (6th October 2008)
Phil Woolas has been named as the new Minister for Immigration following this weekend’s cabinet reshuffle and the departure of Liam Byrne to the Cabinet Office. For more information see: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/reshuffle-announced
September 2008
Launch of ID Cards for Foreign Nationals in November 08
The implementation of the National Identity Scheme moves a step closer with the launch of Identity Cards for Foreign Nationals in November 2008. To read some background to the scheme and to keep updated with its rollout, please see: National Identity Scheme
Recommended Shortage Occupation List Released (9th September 2008)
The Government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has produced its first Shortage Occupation List as part of the new Points Based Migration System. The list includes those occupations which the MAC feels have sufficient labour shortages and sufficient skills requirements to necessitate the employment of migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) under tier 2 of the Points Based System. However there are concerns amongst Care Sector employers that the requirements for Senior Care Workers on the list will mean shortages in the Care industry and from sectors like agriculture that the Points Based System will not allow "low-skilled" migration from outside the EEA.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/macfirstshortagelist/
August 2008
Accession State Immigration Falls to New Low (21st August 2008)
New figures produced by the Home Office show immigration from the A8 group of nations has fallen to its lowest level since accession. 40,000 workers applied under the Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) between April and June 2008, 14,000 less than during the same period last year and a fall of 9000 from the first three months of 2008. The picture is mirrored in the South West with applications falling from 4,265 between January and March 2008 to 3190 between April and June. Immigration from the A2 states (Bulgaria and Romania) has also fallen nationally over the last few months in non-agricultural sector. http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/Migration-At-All-time-Low
Further information on A8 migration can be found in the Accession Monitoring Report: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/reports/accession_monitoring_report/
Further information on A2 migration can be found in the Bulgarian and Romanian Accession Statistics: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/reports/bulgarianromanian/
UKBA tells employers to prepare for new immigration rules (15th August 2008)
The UK Border Agency has launched a new TV advert to help prepare employers for the introduction of the new Points Based Migration System for non-EU nationals this autumn. Tiers 2 (covering skilled workers) and 5 (covering temporary workers and youth mobility) of the new system are set to come on line by the end of November and employers who wish to recruit workers form outside the EU must apply for a license by the 1st October.
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/newtelevisioncampaign
Employers and educational institutions wishing to become sponsors under Tiers 2, 4 and 5 of the new points based system can now apply to be on the UK Border Agency’s sponsor register.
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/sponsorregisteropentoall July 2008
New Points System Sponsor Register for Employers Opened (28th July2008)
Draft Immigration & Citizenship Bill Published (14th July 2008)
The government have outlined key changes to immigration law in a draft bill to parliament. Among the proposals in the bill is an intention to charge migrants extra to help pay for the impacts of migration on local public services. Anyone wishing to comment on the draft Immigration and Citizenship Bill can fill in a questionnaire on the UK Border Agency website. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/immigrationandcitizenshipbill/
Migration Toolkit for LAAs Launched in East of England
The East of England Strategic Migration Partnership has published a toolkit to assist partners in developing LAAs that meet the needs of migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees.
EU Backs French Draft Immigration Pact (7th July 2008)
Ministers from all 27 states of the EU have agreed a draft pact setting out common rules on the treatment of Migrant Workers and Asylum Seekers. A proposal by the French government to oblige all migrants to learn the host language and culture was dropped but a pledge to avoid mass amnesties of illegal migrants was kept.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7493902.stm
June 2008
Tier 1 of New Points Based Migration System Launched (30th June 2008)
The first tier of the government’s new points base system came into effect. This tier effects all ‘highly skilled’ workers, entrepreneurs and investors who want to come to the UK. Under the new system, applicants will need to earn points to satisfy the visa service that they can make a ‘positive contribution’ to the United Kingdom. Points will be awarded for a range of criteria including qualifications, previous earnings, age and United Kingdom experience.
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/tier1launch
Local Immigration Team to be Introduced Across the UK (19th June 2008)
New Local Immigration Teams are being introduced across the UK, alongside Local Crime Partnerships with police, as part of a major refocus of the work of the UK Border Agency, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced. Around 7,500 UKBA officers and staff up and down the UK will be reorganised into 70-80 Local Immigration Teams and given a clear mission to focus on ‘local immigration crime’.
http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/Innigration
Speech by Hazel Blears- Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (11th June 2008)
This is a transcript of the speech by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears at the publication of the cross-government plan on migration on 11 June 2008. She talks about the Government's plans for migrant cohesion.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/speeches/corporate/migrations
(DWP) New research shows migration has not stopped British workers finding jobs
The Impact of Migration from the New European Union Member States on Native Workers
DWP and University of Leicester report finds that there is no statistically significant impact of A8 migration on claimant unemployment, particularly on the young and low-skilled.
ESW Summary The impact of migration
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/wp52.pdf
Review of Migrant Integration Policy in the UK (11th June 2008)
This paper seeks to review the current strategic and policy framework, processes and provisions in place or under development to support the integration of new migrants. On this basis it considers where further provision is required. The review includes a feasibility study of the need for an Integration Agency to support new migrants, as recommended by the Commission for Integration and Cohesion.
ESW Summary Review of Migrant Integration Policy
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/reviewmigrantpolicy
Managing the Impacts of Migration: A cross-government approach (11th June 2008)
This document sets out the Government's approach to managing the impacts of international migration locally and nationally. It covers how the Government will maximise the economic benefits that migration brings to the UK and minimise any transitional pressures felt by communities and local service providers.
ESW Summary Managing the impacts of migration
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/migrationimpact
Points Based System (9th June 2008)
Guidance on Tier 2 (skilled workers with a job offer) to be released in Autumn 2008.
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/pbsenglishlanguagetest
