Archive for the ‘UK immigration’ Category

UK immigration and the threat of terrorism

UK immigration has been in the press this week for all the wrong reasons after it was accused of inadequate back-up checks of visa applicants.

The furore centres around the revelation British officials are checking fewer than one in every 2,000 visa applicants from Pakistan. Pakistan is deemed a ‘high risk’ threat of terrorist activity and this oversight raises “renewed fears that terrorists or illegal immigrants could slip through the net” warn the Daily Telegraph.

Hyper-sensitive immigration champions the Daily Mail call it a “visa sham” as they detail that shortage of frontline immigration officers contributes to the small number of applicants quizzed. Though The Sun spells it out in its own inimitable style with the news that: “Britain’s shoddy visa system can easily be exploited by Pakistan-based terrorists.”

Are under-staffed UK immigration officials posing a security risk for British citizens or is this another case of the media stirring up hype? Your views on the subject please.

UK immigration high flyers

Who says an influx of immigrants is bad for a country’s economy?

This is certainly not the case in the UK.  The migration advisory committee says almost double the number of “highly skilled” workers have applied for a Tier 1 UK visa. This category of applicant is open to entrepreneurs and investors who have the skills, the education and the money in the bank to qualify.

An estimated 55,000 such people are expected to arrive in the UK in 2009, compared to the 28,000 who came in 2007.

So even in the depths of a recession, Britain is booming when it comes to receiving the cream of the migrant workforce. Why not consider a move to the UK yourself?

The UK population is set to surpass 61 million, new data has revealed.

The population increase has been partially attributed to a baby boom driven by immigration. Migrants settling in the UK from certain countries, such as India and Pakistan, have statistically higher birth rates than UK-born residents.

Baby booms are boosting populations in the UK and Africa

This is the first time in over a decade that population increase has been due to natural change, or the difference between net births and deaths. The number of births has also outstripped the number of new immigrants, which fell to 118,000 last year, a drop of 44%.

Despite the decline in net immigration, the UK population increased by 408,000 last year, the largest annual increase since 1972.

The release of the report coincides with the news that Africa’s population has reached 1 billion. The increase is due to the continent’s massive birth rate – the highest in the world.

Globally the average woman has 2.6 children, but in sub-Saharan Africa the number rises to 5.3. Only 28 percent of married African women use contraception compared to 62 percent of women worldwide.

Most of the world’s population increase is in the poorest countries. However, the rising UK population is a concern because of the country’s small size: there is a more finite amount of space due to its geographical restriction as an island.

With A-level results in and students scrambling for spots at UK universities, disappointment has settled in for those who did not achieve a place at their university of choice.

But all is not lost. Clearing 2009 is in full swing and participating students have the opportunity to explore new university options. The UK has a plethora of great towns for students, some incredibly popular as student destinations and others just as worthy – or even more so – but lesser known.

Edinburgh is a perennially popular study destination

We’ve selected the top five UK university towns for their attractive offerings and unique student cultures. The cities are geographically dispersed around the UK to supply food for thought about possible options beyond the obvious London, Oxford, and Cambridge choices.

From Scotland and Wales to the south of England, in no particular order of importance, here are our top five.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s gem of a capital offers a vibrant atmosphere for students from around the world. Castles looming on hilltops, cobblestone lanes and majestic gothic architecture make this city a pure aesthetic pleasure. Edinburgh was named the UK’s most desirable place to live in a recent survey.

A walkable centre, al fresco pub socialising, diverse ethnic and British food, and buoyant, friendly locals contribute to the popularity of the University of Edinburgh as a UK study destination.

London, England

Britain’s capital city is a pulsing metropolis with something on offer for every personality, with all-night clubs, sports stadiums, shopping for fashionistas on any budget, concert halls, foodie-fuelled markets, exhibitions, riverside running paths, massive green spaces and pubs of every flavour.

Business and finance students flock to the city for its prominence in the global financial industry, and a large proportion of graduates from London universities stay on for post-study employment. London’s top unis include the London School of Economics and Science, University College London, and Imperial College London.

Aberswyth, Wales

This sleepy but scholarly Victorian seaside town in Wales ranks consistently as a student favourite. The Times Online Good University Guide 2010 shows an 81% student satisfaction ranking for Aberystwyth, University of Wales, falling barely behind Oxford University’s 85%.

With a landscape of castles and crumbling stone fortresses shrouded in sea fog populating the green hills, it’s little wonder student satisfaction is so high: students understand they’re signing up for seascapes and bottle-nosed dolphin sightings over pumping nightclubs.

Brighton, England

Barely an hour from London by train, Brighton has a nightlife to rival much bigger cities. Boasting one of the UK’s most vibrant alternative and gay communities, this city on the sea is home to everything from fish n’ chips on the pier to concert halls and unique cuisine for every budget.

Compact and walkable, Brighton University is a worthy study destination for those who crave the variety in entertainment, food and shopping found in the city without the overcrowding and painful prices.

Bristol, England

The enticing Southwest university town of Bristol manages to embody both English quaintness and urban excitement. Historical architecture melds with a peaceful waterfront punctuated by a stone suspension bridge and masses of green space.

Although smallish and intimate, Bristol University draws students of a more urban-sophisticate nature, making provisions for the nightclub crowd, bookworms and pub prowlers alike.

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Prospective students who have not been accepted into their preferred courses or universities should currently be applying for Clearing 2009. The final weeks of August present an opportunity to consider previously unexplored universities and courses.

International students who have been accepted into UK universities for Autumn 2009 should be in the final stages of securing UK visas, which can take up to several months to clear.

London is set for a cash giveaway this month

For anyone making the move to work or visit the UK, there is often the issue of personal safety. It’s not that Britain has a particularly high crime rate, but any major city carries the threat of petty crime from such unsavoury characters as pickpockets or thieves.

London is about to launch a great new scheme where people will actually have money put INTO their pockets and not stolen from their person.

Anything from 5GBP to 20GBP will be secretly slipped into unguarded pockets or open handbags in and around key tourist destinations or places of high footfall in the UK Capital.

The scheme is the brainchild of broadband and telecoms provider TalkTalk. They are calling it ‘Put-Pocketing’ in their company blog and, controversially, they are set to employ former pick-pockets to deposit the cash among unsuspecting members of the public.

It will launch in London at the end of August before going to cities across the UK – keep your eyes open for it.

With free cash being given out so flagrantly, it’s just another great reason to get moving with your visa application and make the move to the UK.

Get a UK visa and join the job hunt

A report on FT.com today has accused the UK visa rules of inhibiting companies from hiring the best talent from overseas.

The current points-based UK immigration system is creating “unexpected hitches” for employers and this in turn is having adverse effects on the London’s standing as a global business centre.

The government’s focus on “British Jobs for British Workers” has led to stricter UK visa rules and more delays in visa application approvals for some businesses.

How have the new laws affected your business and recruitment drive for talented overseas staff?

Are you a recruiter or in HR facing a daily battle with UK immigration bureaucracy?

Or, as an employee from overseas, is securing the vital UK work visa now such an arduous task that you’re thinking of staying at home or migrating elsewhere?

Post your comments and views below.

Get a UK visa and visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh may be currently enjoying its status as venue for the biggest arts festival in the world, but it’s just received another accolade after it was officially voted the most desirable place to live in the UK.

10, 000 people voted in a new Yougov survey that saw Scotland’s Capital judged as having the best atmosphere of any other city in Britain. Edinburgh also ranked in the top five for factors such as culture, friendliness, cuisine and “media buzz”.

The city beat off challengers including London, York and Belfast.

Edinburgh Festival goers may have endured one of the wettest days recorded in August today, but the soggy climate was not enough to dampen many voters’ enthusiasm for the popular business and tourist destination.

Edinburgh, it would seem, reigns supreme!

Dance troupe Salia Ni Seydou went through a warzone to get UK visas

The continuing saga of the battle between UK points based visa system and the international arts community rages on.

A few weeks ago, we covered a story that highlighted the plight of overseas artists who had either suffered delays or had to cancel performances due to the UK’s new visa regulations for overseas visitors.

Now a home affairs select committee report has provided conclusive evidence that absurd UK visa laws creates unnneccessary problems that delays and even  endangers creatives looking to bring their talent to the country.

A prominent champion of the cause to reform UK visa law is Guardian journalist Henry Porter. In his recent blog he asks readers: ‘Would you cross a warzone for a British visa?’

He also tells the story of a Burkina Faso dance troupe who had to travel across a warzone in Cote D’Ivoire to obtain their UK visas.

This is just one of many stories that the aforementioned report details.

Porter rages against the bureacratic machine that is the UK Border Agency. He writes: “[T]his chaotic, slow moving, over-centralized system takes effect it becomes clear that we are watching a programme of cultural exclusion that is already doing real harm to British cultural life and the free exchange of ideas.”

So will we see any change in the UK visa law?

Should international artists be given some leeway as new cases of visa delays and cancelled gigs come to the fore? Or should artists take their place in society and have the same treatment as all other non-UK residents?

It’s as diverse an issue as the arts world itself. Feel free to express yourself below.

Happy people live and work in UK

A unique psychological study aimed at make Briton’s smile across the nation launched today.

Thousands of people are invited to register with the special website and try one of the proven happiness-enhancing mood techniques.

The study, by boffins from the University of Hertfordshire, hopes to spread happiness across the UK.

So if you want a joyous reason to live in the UK, then take the test today!

Global Visas reacts to Tier 2 UK work visa report

As the Home Office awaits a report to be published by the MAC regarding recommended alterations to the Tier 2 UK visa system, Global Visas director, Liam Clifford, has his own response to the two research questions the report seeks to answer:

Question 1: Is there an economic case for restricting Tier 2 to shortage occupations only?

Again the UK government shows its determination to destabilise the UK work force and make employers struggle to source and secure the best services on shore. This will not deter most international employers from hiring the overseas national if they are the best candidate.

The effect will be on off-shoring these skills and less taxes paid to HMRC. The employers who will suffer the most are the local UK-only based firms, who will be unable to secure the skills they require and survive in these difficult times. Again, we see a situation where the government and the MAC dictates the agenda to the detriment of UK businesses.

We hope MAC agree with Global Visas and believes that the UK economy is going through a recession – but this is no reason to make the situation even worse by threatening the ability of local employers to hire the best people.

Question 2: What is the Committee’s assessment of the economic contribution made by the dependants of the points-based system migrants and their role in the labour market?

Dependants, coming to the UK on work permits, have for many years been seen as a major strength to the UK immigration system. In recent years, Europe has designed the EU Blue Card to allow dependents of overseas workers to work in Europe and emulate the UK system.

International HR is clear that the rules allowing dependants to work assists them in convincing their executives and high demand skills to come to the UK on secondment.

If spouses were prohibited from employment it would potentially halve many families’ earning potential. This would mean the expats’ compensation would have to dramatically increase to compensate for this loss. The result is that further burdens would be placed on businesses to increase salaries or the expat would simply not come to the UK as it would not be financially viable.

It is also worth noting successful people usually marry like-minded successful individuals. And it is these people who are as likely to assist the UK economy as their primary work permit holding partners.